2021 Château Le Coteau Margaux

Château Le Coteau is one of the last family-owned estates in the Margaux appellation — six generations deep and planted on the same iconic gravel soils in Arsac and Labarde that sit right alongside the classified growths. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, hand-harvested and aged in French oak for over a year. The 2021 is medium-bodied and elegant with blackberry, blackcurrant, violets, and baking spice on the nose, silky tannins, and a juicy, refined finish — classic Margaux without the classified growth price tag. Pair with beef wellington, roasted lamb, or a serious cheese board.

Fun detail: the estate was actually listed in the original 1932 Cru Bourgeois classification, but the owner voluntarily left the system because he disagreed with the new rules. That's an independent streak, right?