If you know anything about Margaux, it’s probably about the iconic Chateau Margaux. But there’s lots to the appellation besides the famous First-Growth chateau. Margaux’s sandy, gravel-filled soils produce some of the Left Bank’s most elegant red wines; Jancis Robinson cites their “haunting perfume,” and “silky texture.”
This spring we discovered a delightful new wine from Margaux, the Chateau Larrieu-Terrefort. We’re not claiming it competes with its famous neighbor, but with Chateau Margaux running $750 per bottle, this sub-$50 cuvée is a comparative bargain.
Margaux has exceptional terroir – don’t limit yourself to experiencing it only as a splurge.
We opened the 2016 Larrieu Terrefort at our Newton Warehouse tasting yesterday, and it was delicious: a sophisticated, classy blend with real subtlety and elegance. It’s dark and powerful, but with silky, seductive texture; and at 13.5% alcohol it’s a welcome break from domestic Cabs with sledgehammer power.
The nose offers floral notes of violet, almost syrah-like, that blend nicely with the oak in which the wine was raised. Joining the violets are dark chocolate, black raspberry, and a hint of earth. It’s still a young wine, but its tannins are rich and perfectly balanced.
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Larrieu-Terrefort Margaux 2016
bottle price: $42
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