CHÂTEAU DU TERTRE

2023 5ème Cru Classé Margaux

EN PRIMEUR

Enjoyably velvety and silky fresh aromatics, this is Cabernet dominant in character, meaning slim and savoury, and hard to argue with. Has plenty of grip and power as it opens, with cassis bud, blackberry and crayon, together with gentle crushed mint leaf and smoked earth. 60% new oak for ageing, Helfich family new owners since 2021, Cynthia Capelaere estate director, Romain Beurienne technical director, continuing to work biodynamically as they have since 2008. Blend completed early during October, 60% new oak for ageing. The Cabernet Franc vines here are more than 60 years old, and it's an estate that is getting a lot of love and investment since the new owners arrived. Drinking range: 2029 - 2044 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

75cl bottles (wood case of 6)

* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

The 2023 du Tertre is deep, powerful and resonant right out of the gate. Dark-toned fruit, chocolate, lavender, mocha and dried herbs are broadly sketched. This heady, layered Margaux is certainly not shy. All it could use is a bit more polish in its contours. Drinking range: 2030 - 2053 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

A dark and lightly toasted core of fruit on the nose, with a little suggestion of a leafy and peppery freshness. A fresh and delicately peppered start to the palate as well, with a somewhat loose and open texture, the rather ephemeral blanket of fruit draped lightly over a modestly firm frame of tannins and equally firm acidity. Sappy and rather fresh in the end, with a spicy energy, this du Tertre does not remind me of the great vintages I have tasted from this property in the past. It is still an improvement on some more recent efforts though, so the new owners should keep up the good work here. Rating: 88-90 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

As this estate's extensive restructuring begins to come to fruition, the 2023 du Tertre contains fully 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, as replanted parcels begin to be included in the grand vin, complemented by 15% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot. Offering up aromas of dark berries, licorice, lilac and mint, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with a notably concentrated, serious core by this estate's typically charming standards, revealing sweet structuring tannins and a succulent, seamless profile. In short, du Tertre's renaissance continues. Rating: 92-94 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

The lead pencil, blackberries and blackcurrants are very intense on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins and a creamy, refined texture that turns to a medium finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 11% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Please make sure that you have read the terms of this offer which are different from those on the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do contact our private client team via email or on 020 7018 0187.

Ordering

Prices are all in bond by the case size stated.

Pre-Orders are a firm commitment to buy wines on release, as long as the release price is within the upper and lower price bands set by you on the pre-order form. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability but providing this firm commitment to buy effectively gives you priority and is a good idea for the most desirable wines.

Wines listed on the website can be ordered in the usual way via the website wishlist order form. You can also send orders directly to our private client team via email. Please note that, for the most sought-after wines, priority will be given to those who ordered the same wines last year and to those that have pre-ordered.

Confirmation

All orders will be confirmed by email and are binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of email confirmation. Pre-orders are not binding if the release price is above your upper price band.

Invoices are all raised at the in bond price (excluding any duty and VAT) which will become payable at the prevailing rates when the wines arrive in the UK, should you wish to take duty paid delivery.

Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We regret we cannot accept credit cards for en primeur orders. We reserve the right to apply a dunning charge of 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.

Delivery

  • Shipment to our bond (at LCB Creek Road) and insurance are included in the in bond price.
  • Delivery is free to Lea and Sandeman / Elephant storage accounts, both duty paid and in bond.
  • Other deliveries (In Bond and Duty Paid) are also free subject to a minimum order from the offer of £500. Orders below this total will be charged an administration and handling fee of £16.50+ VAT when invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
  • Delivery of 2023 Bordeaux bought en primeur is expected during 2026. Delivery dates may vary as wines are shipped from Bordeaux at different times.

Practical notes - how it works

We start a sale in each customer's name and add all their primeur orders to one sale which is invoiced at the end of the campaign (or when the customer wishes). Immediate payment of invoices is then required by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option but please note that confirmed orders are still binding even if the final invoice has not yet been issued.

Please specify on your wishlist order form where you would like the wines shipped on arrival in the UK. If this is to a third-party bonded warehouse, please specify the relevant account details. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue a second invoice for duty and VAT at the prevailing rate when the wines are available for delivery.

Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.

One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the format you want. While most of our listings are for 75cl bottles, we can source wines in any format that is offered by the Château. Please note that format requests cannot be changed once wines have been invoiced. Additional charges for special formats do apply and are as follows:-

  • +£18.00 per case of 12 half-bottles
  • +£30.00 per case of 24 half-bottles
  • +£7.50 per case of 3 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
  • +£11.00 per case of 6 Magnums
  • +£45.00 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
  • +£60.00 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.

Storage Options:

Wines bought en primeur won't arrive in the UK until 2026. If you do not wish to take home delivery at that point, you may wish to consider where you would like the wines shipped. Lea & Sandeman offers duty paid and in bond storage through a dedicated storage company called Elephant Storage. For more details on the terms and fees associated with storage please go to our Storage Homepage or contact our private client team for more information.