Nicholas Barreyre built a Chateau on his family’s property overlooking the Gironde estuary and not too far from the village of Margaux in 1774. The Barreyre family had been tending vines there for several generations already, so when the French Revolution came along a few years later they very sensibly kept their heads down and stayed in the vineyards. Thus the Barreyre family was one of the few noble families to keep their chateau. Two and a half centuries later, they’re still there. Chateau Barreyre is a remarkably good value, drawn from vineyards remarkably similar to nearby Margaux, and offers classic, foursquare Bordeaux notes without the flashy price tag. The aroma is powerful and pure, almost like Burgundy with finesse; black plum and cassis, leather and graphite. The palate is silky smooth and filled with plum and cassis and blueberry pie and chalky black soil wrapped in elegant tannins. Black fruit lingers on the finish. A wine as French as this one deserves a dish inspired by classic French cuisine. Pork loin or filet au poivre would be our first choices.