Château du Tertre

Château du Tertre's roots extend back to 1143, when the estate was known as the Seigneurie d'Arsac, and later as Tertre d'Arsac. It was classified as a Fifth Growth in the landmark 1855 Bordeaux Classification, and remarkably, its vineyard extent has not changed since that date. Philippe Gasqueton owned the property from 1961 to 1995, but it was Dutch entrepreneur Eric Albada Jelgersma who, after acquiring the estate in 1997, undertook an extensive restoration program that genuinely elevated quality. In January 2021, the Helfrich family took ownership and continues the estate's modern trajectory.

• Traced to 1143 as the Seigneurie d'Arsac
• Classified Fifth Growth in 1855, vineyard size unchanged since
• Restored under Eric Albada Jelgersma from 1997 to 2021
• Helfrich family assumed ownership in January 2021

Château du Tertre sits in Arsac, the westernmost commune permitted within the Margaux appellation. The estate's 52 hectares of vines occupy south-facing slopes at elevations between 24 and 27 meters, which is notably elevated for the Médoc. The soils are composed of ancient Günz-period gravel and sand overlying sandy-clay gravel, with gravelly ridges sitting above clay subsoils. A nearby pine forest creates a cooler microclimate than is typical for the area. These conditions combine to produce wines of tension and refinement consistent with the Margaux appellation's reputation for elegance.

• Arsac is the westernmost commune of the Margaux appellation
• Günz gravel and sand soils with clay subsoils beneath
• South-facing at 24 to 27 meters, high for the Médoc
• Pine forest moderates temperatures and creates a distinctive microclimate

The encépagement at Château du Tertre reflects a classic Médoc structure, with Cabernet Sauvignon leading at 43 percent, followed by Merlot at 33 percent, Cabernet Franc at 19 percent, and Petit Verdot at 5 percent. The relatively high proportion of Cabernet Franc distinguishes Tertre from many of its Médoc peers and contributes a floral, aromatic lift to the wine. The resulting style is elegant and refined, in keeping with Margaux's characteristic silkiness. The cooler microclimate from the pine forest tends to preserve freshness and extend the growing season.

• Cabernet Sauvignon 43%, Merlot 33%, Cabernet Franc 19%, Petit Verdot 5%
• High Cabernet Franc inclusion adds floral complexity
• Style is elegant and refined, characteristic of Margaux
• Cool microclimate preserves freshness and aromatic precision

Château du Tertre holds the rank of Cinquième Cru Classé, or Fifth Growth, within the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. While the 1855 system has been criticised for its rigidity, Tertre's restored quality under Jelgersma earned it growing recognition as an underperformer turned consistent overdeliverer at its classification level. Its intact vineyard boundaries since 1855 make it an unusually pure reference point for understanding how terroir expression has remained consistent across nearly two centuries of ownership changes.

• Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru Classé) in the 1855 Classification
• One of five classified growths based in the commune of Arsac
• Vineyard boundaries unchanged since the 1855 classification
• Considered a strong value proposition within its classification tier