When irish shopkeeper mark kirwan married the daughter of one of bordeaux’s first wine merchants in 1760, no one could have known that the wines they’d produce would eventually merit respected third growth status. For the last eight generations the schyler family have been at the helm of the margaux estate. They meticulously match grape variety to soil type, and in recent years, vintages have been excellent. All five red varieties which they grow – cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot and carmenère – appear in this blend, resulting in a smooth red. While it will happily age for another decade or more, you can still enjoy it now if decanted, to highlight the red and black berry notes and spice. Elegant and juicy in equal measure, it’s a winner with red meats and mushroom dishes.