THE JEFFERSON CLUB - OCTOBER 2022
This month, we return to one of our earliest Jefferson Club offerings just in time for the cool weather and holiday season to approach. Chateau Ferriere 2012 was a treasure for our first guests to try at our Grand Membership Tasting back in 2015 when we first opened, but this month we have the fortune to see the progress and evolution of this humble estate with their exceptional 2018 vintage. We are happy to present you the Chateau Ferriere 2018 from Margaux.
CHATEAU FERRIERE 2018
Proprietor: Claire Villars
Region: Margaux, Bordeaux, FRA
Assemblage: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Viticulture: deep gravel soils over limestone bedrock; 100% certified organic (biodynamic with the 2018 vintage)
Method: vinified in concrete vats; matured in 40% new French oak for 18 months
Serving Suggestions: serve at 60-64F; decant 1-2 hours
Age: hold 2027 - 2038
Nose: red cherries, raspberries, flowers and earth
Palate: soft, silky, fresh and vibrant
Finish: persistent, powerful yet restrained
ABOUT CHATEAU FERRIER
Chateau Ferriere, like many of the Classified Growths of the Medoc, has a rich, living history. Founded in the late 1700’s, it had early acclaim by being the smallest chateau in the 1855 classification (at the time it was only 8 hectares). Over the centuries, Chateau Ferriere changed hands until its present owner, the Merlaut family, acquired it. Today, Claire Villars, granddaughter of Jacques Merlaut, is the director of Ferriere in addition to several prestigious estates (Chateaus Gruard Larose, Chasse Spleen, Citran, La Gurgue, and Haut Bages Liberal). Today, the estate of Chateau Ferrier covers 24 hectares, but one aspect of its vineyard that sets it apart from countless others is its age. Over half of the vines were planted in 1952, a very uncommon fact given the devastating effects of the 1956 frost in Bordeaux. Perhaps it was the vines youth and vigor that allowed them to survive? It would be simple for Claire to rest on the estate’s laurels, but in 2012, she began the process of converting her entire vineyard holdings towards organics. Certification was attained by 2015, but she didn’t stop there. With the 2018 vintage, Chateau Ferriere’s wines are completely Demeter (biodynamics) certified.
ABOUT THE WINE
I first featured Chateau Ferriere for the Jefferson Club in December of 2015 with the 2012 vintage. At the time, our wine importer was astounded as to how much of the wine we brought in – a little wine shop in a small town purchasing so much of this little-known estate in Margaux. However, it was in 2015 that Claire Villars officially converted the entire estate to organic viticulture. At the time, it was a small gamble, but it seems to have paid off. And while the most esteemed of Bordeaux wines will always garner the greatest attention (and thus, an increase of value with age), it is the small and middle estates that can produce the most outstanding surprises. It has been incredibly exciting to see the development of this estate over the last 7 years and is clear we can look forward to many great bottlings from this humble estate. If you have saved your first bottle from 2012, it would be wonderful to see just how far this wine has come.
For more about the estate Chateau Ferriere, check out this link at Chateau Ferriere's website.