The Château du Tertre
with 500 years of history
In the 15th century, Michel de Montaigne's brother, Thomas, married Jacquette d'Arsac. He then became the lord of the estate, which bore his wife's name. It wasn't until 1736 that the building was constructedChâteau du Tertre.It was the Mitchell family, famous in the glass industry, who decided to produce wine in order to combine their main business with viticulture. The Château then successively became part of the Arrirar and Ségur families' holdings.
In 1855, when the Château was owned by Henri de Koenigswarter, the 51-hectare vineyard was classified among the5th Grand Cru.In 1925, Achille de Wilde, a Belgian merchant, acquired the estate. After numerous buyouts, notably with Capbern-Gasqueton, it was finally acquired by the Dutch businessmanEric Albada Jelgersmawho becomes the owner. He plays a major role in modernizing the Château and giving it a new sense of grandeur. Extensive renovations are undertaken, and the teams readily enlist the best winemakers to produce two superb vintages.
The terroir of the Margaux appellation
enhanced by the Château du Tertre
The Fifth Classified Grand Cru of the appellationMargauxextends over52 hectaresThe vineyard is a single, contiguous plot. Its location is prime, thanks to optimal exposure and the vines' proximity to a stream that naturally drains the soil. The region's flagship grape varieties thrive on a gravelly terroir, which absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night. The 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot vines have an average age of 40 years.
Thinning and leaf removal are carried out by the teams. The vineyard is cultivated inbiodynamicswithout being certified as such.Château du Tertrereceives technical support fromDenis DubourdieuThis professor emeritus of oenology at the University of Bordeaux, and one of the best specialists in white winemaking, brings his technical knowledge to optimize vineyard management.
Expertise and modernity
The majestic vintages of Château du Tertre
In 2008,Eric Albada JelgersmaThis prompted major renovation work. As a result, truncated conical concrete tanks were built. This installation allows for winemaking in containers smaller than those usually required. This allows for better control and, above all, enables...to vinify on a plot-by-plot basis.After hand-harvesting, fermentation lasts between 25 and 30 days, depending on the vintage. Denis Uteau, cellar master ofChâteau du TertreThe winery ages its wines for 18 months in French oak barrels. Half of the barrels are renewed each year to preserve the quality of the interaction between the wood and the wines, as well as the tannins.
Château Le Tertre offers two red wine vintages:
- The heights of the Tertre
- Margaux
which offer enthusiasts some pleasant surprises.
