Chateau les Barraillots Margaux 2022

Producer: Chateau les Barraillots
Region: Bordeaux, France
Varietals: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 15% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc
Viticulture: Sustainable
Category: Red Wine
Size: 750ml

Chateau Les Barraillots is the last small and independent wine producer in the village of Margaux and one of only a few “Crus Artisans” in the Margaux appellation. The vineyard was obtained from Palmer and Durfort in 1928 and 1933. It is situated among the highest elevations in the commune and the soil type is permeable gravel. The modest house and winery are a quarter of a mile away, on the outskirts of town, literally on the other side of the tracks. The Martin family used to raise dairy cows there, not only for the income derived from the milk, but also for the manure used in the vineyard. Yannick Martin, who took over from his father in 2014, told me that growing up he spent way too much time repairing fences. Although Yannick still uses exclusively cow manure as fertilizer, today the cattle are gone and he has more time to concentrate on his wine production.

In the village of Margaux lies a tiny vineyard with 40-year-old vines. There, Michel Brunet along with his son, Yannick Martin-Brunet, creates a complex wine perfumed with violets, dark fruits, and rich spices. Its soft tannins and charming elegance gain depth as it opens in the glass, as well as with further aging in the cellar. A Margaux this delicious, for this price, is truly a rare find. This red makes a fine partner for classic herbed beef tenderloin, and it is more than impressive enough for special-occasion dining.