Château Ferrière 2024

With 18% Petit Verdot, this year has the highest proportion of this variety in the blend; radiant Cabernet aroma, clear and pure like a mountain stream, subtle spice, showing depth; on the palate, crisp, generous fruit, fine-grained tannins, balanced, dance-like lightness, fruity-bitter finish. A very fine interpretation of the vintage.

Creamy fragrance, vanilla, mint, tobacco and dark chocolate with black cherries. Thick and nicely textured, filling in the mouth, chewy tannins have a salty, strawberry grip - just ripe with a cool grip to the palate. Elegant and charming, not big, but enough weight to be enjoyable. Not particularly layered, but charming and smooth with blueberries and salty wet stones. Refined and easy to enjoy. A touch light on the finish, the fruit is more aerial but there's no astringency or harshness. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. A yield of 16hl/ha. Ageing 40% in new barrels, 40% in one wine barrels, 20% in ovoid vats and amphorae for 16-18 months. 3.80pH.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 16 hl/ha. Certified organic and biodynamic (Demeter). Cask sample. A hefty dollop of Petit Verdot this year. Juicy and easy to drink, with floral and blackcurrant notes. Lighter in weight and frame than usual, but there’s structure. Firm, slightly chewy finish. (JL)

Flowers, red currants, and cherries already pop in the nose. On the palate, the wine is zesty and crisp, with a blast of peppery cranberries and bright, crunchy red plums that remain with you from start to finish. The wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 12.2% ABV. The yields were quite low at 16 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2028-2040. 89-91 Pts

(70% CS, 18% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc) The nose is fruity, floral, and fresh, offering lovely definition, precision, complexity, depth, a slightly smoky edge, and a fine, fresh, airy grain. It reveals notes of Madagascar pepper, fresh/juicy black berries and, more subtly, camphor, with touches of cornflower and bright blueberry, as well as fine hints of elegant roasted red berries and a hint of smoke/toast. The palate is beautifully handled, floral, balanced, delicate, and enveloping, with juiciness, a fresh backbone/lovely freshness, fine definition, energy, a melodious quality, and a tangy lift. A discreet, delicate intensity. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/pulpy cassis, vibrant raspberry, and, more subtly, fresh cherry, combined with touches of violet, refined minerality/Margaux gravel, as well as a hint of smoke and fresh spices. The tannins are chalky. Good length. A lovely, slight chew. Attractive spicy character brought by the Petit Verdot.

Juicy fruit integrity, deep spicy notes, just-ripe fruit with plenty of accompanying fragrance and charm, but the acidity of the vintage puts a little more emphasis on the tannins than ideal. 3.8 pH. Harvest 17 September to 8 October. 40% new oak. 16 hl/ha yield.