FR ANÇOIS AND LOUIS MITJAVILE TERTRE ROTEBOEUF, ROC DE CAMBES & L’AUR AGE 2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR EXCLUSIVE TO CORNEY & BARROW IN THE UK, HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE
“Wine is a spiritual beverage. A vintage must be an emotional expression of the flavours.” FRANÇOIS MITJAVILE, APRIL 2022
Tertre Roteboeuf’s amphitheatre of vines
FRANÇOIS AND LOUIS MITJAVILE TERTRE ROTEBOEUF, ROC DE CAMBES & L’AURAGE
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2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR
To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com
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INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780
THE MITJAVILE 2021s What better way to open the 2021 Bordeaux campaign at C&B than with the Mitjavile triumvirate? Quick off the blocks, as befits these wines of energy and momentum, all three of which are successes of the vintage. With Covid restrictions finally behind us, we were thrilled to be able to taste in situ and from barrel, with François and Loulou Mitjavile. These three estates, one in prime Saint-Émilion, the others on the banks of the Dordogne, are united by a common approach, which could be called a search for ultimate fruit expression. The consequent ‘degraded’ fruit profile and sensual, melded structures, have become a Mitjavile hallmark. The habitually late picking here inevitably meant that the 2021 Mitjaviles were harvested deep into October. Somehow, though – perhaps the mature vineyards and their vines of great natural harmony – this most unusual of years has delivered wines of great elegance, freshness, presence and ageing potential. Click here to watch Adam Brett-Smith speak to François Mitjavile in the cellars of Tertre Roteboeuf about the 2021 vintage.
GUY SEDDON Fine Wine Buyer, May 2022
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FRANÇOIS AND LOUIS MITJAVILE TERTRE ROTEBOEUF, ROC DE CAMBES & L’AURAGE
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2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR
THE 2021 VINTAGE IN THE WORDS OF FRANÇOIS MITJAVILE
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FRANÇOIS MITJAVILE
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INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780
“If I could give one word to this vintage, it is disturbed. For the weather, the tastings, the sales…” FRANÇOIS MITJAVILE April 2022
The year has revealed a very pretty character in the wine, but it must be said that it was far from easy. The springtime was awkward, followed by a mild summer, hence fresh conditions prevailed. September was warm, with rain towards the end of the month. In our attempt to describe the style of the vintage, what can we say? What of the flavours from the actual grapes in this year? Dynamic fruit, red/black, rather than a dark black one. The acidity, low, promotes suppleness in the mouth. The energetic character in the fruit will be accompanied by a charming structure, the tannins having been tenderised by the climatic conditions. From this will follow a vintage that will age precociously and in time will deliver very beautiful tertiary aromas, softness on the palate. Advanced in its evolution and full of charm right from the start, some will say that it is a serious restaurant vintage. For sure, but make no mistake, the vintage will also age very nicely.
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FRANÇOIS AND LOUIS MITJAVILE TERTRE ROTEBOEUF, ROC DE CAMBES & L’AURAGE
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2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR
To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com
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INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780
THE WINES TERTRE ROTEBOEUF, SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU Best viewed from the bottom of François Mitjavile’s garden, from where Tertre Roteboeuf stretches out below you, a sweeping six hectare amphitheatre on claylimestone soils. The limestone, visible in the underground cellars’ walls, is one of the keys to Tertre Roteboeuf. François’ trademark late picking finds a counterbalance in the naturally cool soil. This safeguards the wines’ characteristic freshness alongside the so-called ‘degraded’ fruit profile which François seeks. The blend reflects the vineyard plantings of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The average vine age is over 40 years.
TASTING NOTE: The 2021 Tertre Roteboeuf offers up wonderfully pure aromas of bitter cherry, blackberries and damson, with sweet spices and cigar leaves. The palate is briny and linear on the entry, opening onto a velvety, seductive mid-palate of cranberries and wintery dark berries, vivaciously fresh and framed rather majestically by fine, firm tannins. Picked between 6th and 18th October. Corney & Barrow Score 18-18.5 Recommended drinking from 2028 - 2045 £790/case of 6 bottles, in bond UK £800/case of 3 magnums, in bond UK £555/case of 1 double magnum, in bond UK
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FRANÇOIS AND LOUIS MITJAVILE TERTRE ROTEBOEUF, ROC DE CAMBES & L’AURAGE
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2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR
To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com
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INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780
ROC DE CAMBES, CÔTES DE BOURG In the words of Antonio Galloni, “Quite frankly, Roc de Cambes takes the Côtes de Bourg to a whole new level.” The Côtes de Bourg appellation lies some 45 minutes to the north-west of Saint-Émilion, on the banks of the Dordogne, just where it meets the Garonne and combines into the Gironde estuary. The property is over twice the size of Tertre Roteboeuf, comprising 14 hectares of old vines, with a similar average age (40+ years). Roc de Cambes lies on the ‘Les Croutes’ slope, where the heat of the sun is tempered by the river. Cool clay-limestone soils take time to warm up in the spring so that late ripening is the norm. The plantings are 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
TASTING NOTE: Soaring aromas of roses, incense and fresh coffee beans. The medium-full bodied palate is luxuriously melded, revealing flavours of Parma violets, blueberries and blackberries. The tannins are characteristically supple and imperceptibly fused with the fruit. Fresh acidity and a salty mineral lift on the finish. Roc has once again risen above its station – a stunning, elegant 2021. Corney & Barrow Score 18 Recommended drinking from 2026 - 2038+ £260/case of 6 bottles, in bond UK £270/case of 3 magnums, in bond UK £205/case of 1 double magnum, in bond UK
Tasting Guide Our tasting notes provide full details but, at your request, we have also introduced a clear and simple marking system. We hope these guidelines assist you in your selection. For the benefit of simplicity, wines are scored out of 20. We will often use a range of scores (e.g. 16.5 to 17) to indicate the potential to achieve a higher mark. When a ‘+’ is shown it adds further to that potential. Wines from lesser vintages will, inevitably, show a lower overall score. Wines are judged, in a very broad sense, against their peers. Why? Well, you cannot easily compare a Ford with an Aston Martin, other than they are both cars and have wheels. It is not that different with wine. A score is a summary only. The devil is in the detail, so please focus on the tasting notes and, as always, speak to our sales team.
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FRANÇOIS AND LOUIS MITJAVILE TERTRE ROTEBOEUF, ROC DE CAMBES & L’AURAGE
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The cellars at L’Aurage
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2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR
To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com
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INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780
L’AURAGE, CASTILLON-CÔTES DE BORDEAUX Castillon-la-Bataille sits on the banks of the Dordogne river, some 12km to the south-east of Saint-Émilion. The ‘battle’ in this pretty town’s name commemorates a thrashing inflicted on the English in 1453, which brought to an end the Hundred Years War. Louis ‘Loulou’ Mitjavile started making wine at Tertre Roteboeuf and Roc de Cambes. Loulou and his wife Caroline purchased the property in 2007. The estate’s vines run right up to the Saint-Émilion boundary. Merlot accounts for almost the entirety of the 15 hectares, with diminishing amounts of Cabernet Franc. Watch Louis Mitjavile talk about the 2021 vintage with Guy Seddon, here.
TASTING NOTE: L’Aurage 2021 is 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, mirroring the vineyard plantings. Deep ruby colour. Aromas of raspberry, blackberry and cedary spice. The palate is juicy, with dark berry fruit and a bitter cherry lift. The tannins are tightly packed and powerful. Liquorice and dark chocolate on the finish, which has a winning crunch and definition, sustained by taut acidity. Picked 20th-22nd October – the latest harvest ever here. 13.5% abv. Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+ Recommended drinking from 2024 - 2032 £285/case of 12 bottles, in bond UK £305/case of 6 magnums, in bond UK
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sales@corneyandbarrow.com PLEASE NOTE These wines are released en primeur. Delivery dates to be confirmed. All prices are quoted in bond UK.
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FRANÇOIS AND LOUIS MITJAVILE TERTRE ROTEBOEUF, ROC DE CAMBES & L’AURAGE
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2021 VINTAGE, EN PRIMEUR
To find out more about Corney & Barrow visit www.corneyandbarrow.com
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INDEPENDENT WINE MERCHANT SINCE 1780
CONTACT US We have offices and sales outlets in England, Scotland, Hong Kong and Singapore. Please see below for details Our Locations LONDON
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