This rather promising pair of cru classés from Margaux were tasted with the outstanding Cos Labory 2000 vintage, the review for which I posted mid week here.  Both wines are relatively affordable – for cru classé Bordeaux, that is.  This tasting more or less confirmed to me that 2000 is a great vintage (perhaps just slightly behind 2009 and 2005), but comfortably ahead of each other year in the 2000s, without commenting on 2010 which as yet I have not tried enough of to comment sensibly.

Château du Tertre 2000, Margaux
This bottle managed to find its way into recycling before I could take a photo and, recognising my error, vengefully proved to be the last one in the cellar.  It is ready to drink now, with aromatics of pencil shavings and roasted coffee.  The palate is a classical expression of blackcurrant and pencil lead.  It presented more austerely than the Cos Labory, and had perhaps more coffee characters than I prefer, but is nonetheless a delicious wine.

Rating: Very Good, Abv: in the same place as the bottle, Price: $70s, Vendors: http://www.wine-searcher.com/, Website: http://chateaudutertre.fr, Tasted: 2015

Château Marquis de Terme 2000, Margaux
Unsurprisingly, from the same vintage and the same appellation (i.e. Margaux), the Marquis de Terme shared much in common with the du Tertre.  Focussing on the differences, there is more pencil lead and blackcurrant on the nose, and no coffee characters from the oak.  The palate has some lighter blackcurrant notes and a refreshing acidity to it which I found quite moreish.

Rating: Very Good, Abv: 13%, Price: $50s, Vendors: http://www.wine-searcher.com/, Website: http://www.chateau-marquis-de-terme.com, Tasted: 2015