Château de Ferrand 2019

This offers the rich fruit paste profile of the vintage, but it's also accessible already, as cassis, plum preserves and fig notes lead the way, backed by melted red licorice and Christmas pudding accents. A loamy tug through the finish keeps it all grounded, so there's no rush, but this is more oomph than purity so don't expect a lot of evolution over time. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036. 9,500 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

A wine that comes off just a bit closed compared to the 2018. With more cool mint and blue fruit than blackberry or plum, the 2019 has a slightly lower pH that accentuates the structure of the tannin, lacking the velvety appeal of the 2018, which, at this early stage, conveys superior charm. While I prefer the overall balance of the 2018, the 2019 earns just as high a score as a more cerebral wine, and I place my bets that cellar ageing will make it complex and appealing. For now, do not touch.

Very pretty plum, chocolate and hazelnut aromas follow through to a full body with polished yet chewy tannins and fantastic depth of fruit and structure. Powerful for this estate. Needs five to six years to soften. Try after 2026.

Showing much better in the bottle than it did from the barrel, the nose, with its display of flowers, mint, espresso, cocoa and red fruits, gets you ready for all the silky-textured, sweet, soft, polished, refined fruits with a touch of chocolate on the palate and in the finish. You can enjoy this on release or age it a few years before opening a bottle. de Ferrand has been kicking up the quality here over the past few years, which is nice to see. Drink from 2022-2035.

Dark ruby garnet with purple reflections and a touch of edge brightening. Fine nougat, some leather and black berry fruit on the nose, along with ripe plums, a hint of dried fruit and a hint of eucalyptus—a multi‑faceted bouquet. Complex and juicy on the palate with a core of fine fruit sweetness, supporting tannins and a mineral edge. There's a chocolaty note on the finish which lingers well and a salty aftertaste. Already accessible, but with good ageing potential.

Inky dark purple core. Pure, intense and glossy nose showing fine oak, toast, roasted coffee, cassis and crushed dark berries. The palate combines dense fruitiness and concentration with a fresh backbone, layers of finely grained tannins, stylish and pure with chalky freshness and a long, vigorous finish. Still youthful but finely assembled and harmonious.

Located in the commune of Saint-Hippolyte, Ferrand is an estate that has seen substantial recent investment and is producing increasingly impressive wines. This has poise and focus, managing to be both mouth-watering and creamy in texture. The dominant fruits are red and summery — raspberry, loganberry, pinpoint notes of redcurrant — with white truffle and fennel alongside. Second vintage with Axel Marchal as consultant. Yield of 47 hl/ha.

On the nose, aromas of elderberry, camphor, and blooming peonies. On the palate, the fruit is opulent, with firm, well-present tannins.

Such finesse in this bouquet, which highlights its fruity expression, its chalky terroir and its élevage. The chalky character reappears on the palate, where the wine shows fine tension in keeping with its breadth. The tannins are compact, silky, and reach their full amplitude at the very end of the palate, which bodes well for the decades to come. A great success… once again!

Dark color, with good intensity. Attractive, very fruity nose of moderate intensity. Supple on the attack, aromatic mid-palate, the wine offers plenty of flavor. It unfolds at length, with slightly austere tannins, yet a lovely depth of flavor remains. Good length.

The 2019 Château De Ferrand is beautiful and one of the finest I've tasted from this château. Gorgeous black raspberry, darker cherry, loamy earth, tobacco leaf, and chalky minerality all define the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a seamless, beautifully balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's one classy, balanced, elegant 2019 that will evolve for 15+ years.