Château Gassies, Margaux 0.75L 12.5%, 1993 vintage

Château Gassies, Margaux 0.75L 12.5%, 1993 vintage; La Mothe de Margaux existed as a separate estate in the 12th century and was established as a wine estate in the 1770s, when farmers in the Médoc began to abandon grain crops in favor of vines. In 1705, a London newspaper announced the first auction of 230 barrels of "Margose," and in 1787 Thomas Jefferson famously visited Bordeaux and identified Margaux as one of the "four vineyards of first quality." By 1800, the estate covered 265 hectares (655 acres), one-third of which was planted with vines, which remains today. An iconic neo-Palladian château, dubbed the "Versailles of the Médoc," was built in the early 19th century to match the vineyard's reputation. In 1977, Château Margaux was bought by Greek-born grain trader and grocery chain owner André Mentzepoulos. He embarked on a major investment program during the economic crisis, which was continued after his death in 1980 by his daughter Corinne and winemaker Paul Pontallier (who joined in 1983). Estimated price: £230 - £255