Chateau Les Barraillots was the small personal estate of the barrel maker for Chateau Margaux in the 1920s and 1930s. He bought land then from Chateau Margaux neighbors Chateaus Palmer and Durfort. Some of these parcels touch the Chateau Margaux vineyards themselves.
Now, one of the most instructive (and exciting) things to do in a vineyard is to see where “this row makes a $30 wine, and this row right beside it makes a $1000 one.” Something which of course you seldom see.
Other distinguishing features of Barraillots are the very high average vine age (with the Petit Verdot that touches Chateau Margaux over 90 years), the very high vine density (10,000 per hectare, higher even than most First Growths), and the serious, very artisanal winemaking.
The result is a Margaux with not only the pedigree – but also the quality, class and style – of a Second or Third Growth…but at a tenth the price!
This 2019 is an absolutely top-level Baraillots in this great, very rich and ripe vintage…and likely the purest, most perfect expression of “Margaux-ness” yet at this terrific yet tiny estate yet. (The more gentle winemaking really shows this year.)
A tip-top vintage of clear classed growth quality and pedigree, but at a fraction the price of any classed growth 2019 Margaux out there. Who says you can’t afford great Bordeaux anymore?
