Tertre Rotebœuf: Cultivating the Uniqueness of Saint-Émilion
A Story of Land and Family
In the classified terroirs of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, a predominantly clay-rich, south-facing hillside is home to Château Tertre Rotebœuf. The wine estate’s history took flight in the 1970s, when Émilie Mitjavile inherited this family property. From the very beginning, François and Émilie decided to turn it into a laboratory of excellence, renamed Tertre Rotebœuf. The name alone evokes the terroir: “the hill that the oxen struggled to climb”—a powerful image that conveys the harshness of the hillside and the demanding nature of the soil.
François Mitjavile: The Artisan Behind Great Bordeaux Wines
At Tertre Rotebœuf, François Mitjavile brings his unique and resolutely independent style to bear. His reputation is built on meticulous work: low yields, very late harvests, ripeness sometimes pushed to the extreme, and ageing for two to three years in Radoux barrels—many of which are new, depending on the vintage. All of this comes together in a single Saint-Émilion Grand Cru cuvée, simply named Tertre Rotebœuf, bucking the Bordeaux trend toward multiple cuvées. This radical choice has earned him the admiration of critics. Revue des Vins de France awarded it a third star in 2020, praising its independence and the consistency of its approach over the years.
Terroir and Grape Varieties: A Rare Balance
The vineyard spans about a dozen hectares of clay-rich hillsides, where the full southern exposure ensures that the Merlot (about 85%) and Cabernet Franc (about 15%) reach full ripeness. In this unique and “exotic” terroir, the vines—which are about forty years old—embody the quintessence of the Saint-Émilion terroir and lend the wines an extraordinary intensity.
The Tertre Rotebœuf cuvée: a Bordeaux icon
The Tertre Rotebœuf cuvée embodies the Mitjavile vision. Each vintage captivates with the power of its aromas of black fruits, truffle, chocolate, and delicate spices, while its texture is full-bodied and sensual. But it is above all its lingering freshness that captivates and demonstrates the full genius of Mitjavile. Add to that its prodigious aging potential, and you have, without a doubt, one of the greatest Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines in existence.
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