2007 Ferrière and 2006 Smith Haut Lafitte

WINE TALK
1

The wines from Margaux are famous for their fragrance, delicacy and elegance, and often described as more feminine and silkier than the wines from the neighbouring Appellations. Château Ferrière, made by Claire Villars Lurton, is an excellent example for this, and moreover also a wonderful example of a wine from the dwindling category ‘classic claret’. The 2007 is a little less lighter and concentrated than in previous vintages, but it shows an exceptional balance and elegance. Morello cherry, black currant, spices, and herbs dominate on the palate, with this delicious hint of bitter chocolate I like so much. The subtle oak is perfectly integrated, and the alcohol is a sane 13%.

Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the oldest wine estates in Bordeaux, and their wines rank among the finest of the Graves region. The impressive 2006 does not show the same exceptional balance as the Ferrière, but an irresistible opulence and complexity. The powerful, hedonistic attack on the palate is driven by an explosion of black and red fruits, especially sweet cherry and dark berries, and lots of spices. The typical earthiness and minerality of the Graves region lingers on the endless finish. If the alcohol, 13,5%, and the toasted, sweet oak were a little less obtrusive, this wine would be ‘perfect’. Anyway, it went perfectly with the grilled lamb chops on Friday night.

2

Fine notes–thank you!

3

Visited at Ferriere when I was in Bordeaux a couple of years ago. Thought the wines were quite nice in a more elegant traditional style of wine - which I like very much. We had the 2009 rather than the 2007, but even in that vintage the wine was pretty elegant (although young) and not at all over the top.

4

Never had a Ferriere, despite drinking lots of claret. Need to fix that.

It is of course one of those classified estates that Parker either scorned or ignored, so it may not have been imported much.

5

I think it also got resurrected as a brand only in the last couple of decades.

6

When u nail down a margaux with that gorgeous fragrance and velvety margaux berries…its absolutely captivating.

7

The first really interesting Ferrière I can remember was the 1990, tasted for the first time in 1993 or so. At about the same time when Ferrière awakened from its Sleeping Beauty sleep, a few other previously neglected classified growths from Margaux like Desmirail, Rauzan-Gassies, Marquis de Terme, Marquis D’Alesme, Pouget, Boyd Cantenac, and Durfort-Vivens also began to produce more convincing wines. Today, all these wines are worth tasting and occasionally great to enjoy.