I know this is a young wine, but since I finally decided to buy some 2019 - after saying 2014 was my last vintage, then 2016 - ya gotta check in before you go deep. I have selectively bought some key wines from this vintage, and am trying to decide how far I go.
Ferriere is a classic. Always has been. And a sleeper. Probably the quietest Third Growth from the 1855 Classification. Surprises me how few people actually know of this château, and how few tasting notes you actually see even on this site of aficionados. If you can ever backfill, pick up 1995, 96 and 2000 for sure. Major winners.
Scooting up to more the modern era, the 2016 version of this Chateau is exceptional. Undoubtedly the finest Ferriere that I have ever had, but I clearly do not have the multiple decades of experience with this estate, like some might have. This 2019 is just a minor notch behind. Even at this young stage, a fairly floral nose with dark cassis notes. Big mouth feel, cotton tannins, but just a lovely velvety, plush dark fruit palate with a decent acidic spline. A delicious, long life ahead of this winner. (93 pts)
Now take a breath and think about that. A classic Bordeaux from a strong vintage. Super old vines. Third Growth. And only $50. And that’s what I paid for the 2016.
Sounds excellent! As you may remember, I’m a great fan of Ferrière, one of the best-kept secrets among the CCs. Oddly enough for such a classic wine, its owner, Claire Villars-Lurton, is quite the ground-breaker: while sensibly avoiding any of the vulgarity so many Margaux fell victim to in the 2000-10 period, she was one of the first to go organic, and I think Ferrière, like HBL, is now bio-dynamic. Like her husband’s wine, Durfort-Vivens, I would say that Ferrière and HBL are among the bigger winners following the change of guard among the critics and the demise of the RMP dogma.
Sadly, I rather stupidly passed on Ferrière 2019 EP at a mere 28 euros a bottle. Whatever was I thinking?! Have to get some now, anyway.
Nice note @Robert.A.Jr and I’ll have to seek out a bottle but for slightly more $$$ it’s going to be tough to top both D’Issan or Giscours as my 3rd growth Margaux value oriented options.
Thanks for the note. I bought some '19 and some '20 on futures - for $37 and $43, respectively (before RMN cash back at WDC). Can’t complain about any of that!
He gets it right, now and then. It’s interesting though, as 2019 marks a solid improvement as it’s riper with more lushness and intensity than previous vintages.
