Ferraton Père & Fils : Le Méal 2018

Tasting Notes and Tips for Ferraton Père & Fils Le Méal 2018

Tasting

Color

The color displays a bright, deep ruby hue, reflecting remarkable concentration and optimal phenolic extraction.

Nose

The nose reveals pronounced aromatic complexity, marked by notes of black fruits such as blackberry and blackcurrant, alongside herbal and menthol nuances. Secondary aromas of tobacco, roasted chestnut, and an iron-like minerality enrich the bouquet, giving it an additional dimension.

Palate

On the palate, this wine shows concentrated power combined with remarkable balance. The full, rich attack gives way to a tannic structure that is both firm and silky. The finish lingers at length, highlighting mineral and spicy characters rather than simply fruity notes.

Food and Wine Pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with flavorful meats such as lamb, and game like roe deer or wild boar, especially when accompanied by reductions or mushrooms. It can also elevate noble fish such as turbot, or truffle-accented seafood preparations.

Serving and Cellaring

Le Méal 2018 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 17-18°C. Its aging potential extends for fifteen years or more, allowing for harmonious evolution in the cellar.

A powerful, mineral Ermitage wine from the Rhône Valley

The estate

Ferraton Père & Fils was founded in 1946 by Jean Orëns Ferraton in Tain-l'Hermitage, at the foot of the Hermitage hill. After being developed by his son Michel, the estate was acquired in 2004 by Michel Chapoutier, while retaining its own identity. Now led by Damien Brisset as Vice President of Production and oenologist, Ferraton Père & Fils spans several prestigious appellations in the Rhône Valley. The estate stands out for its pioneering commitment to biodynamic viticulture, adopted as early as 1998, and for its Sélections Parcellaires range, which highlights the distinctive expression of each terroir.

The vineyard

Le Méal is one of the nine grands crus on the hill of Ermitage. This plot occupies steep, south-facing terraces on the eastern slope of Hermitage, benefiting from optimal sunshine. The soils are mainly composed of deep clay enriched with ancient alluvial deposits, including rounded pebbles and loess. These smoothed stones absorb daytime heat and release it at night, promoting ideal ripening. The Syrah vines, around thirty years old, are cultivated according to certified biodynamic principles.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for Le Méal 2018 were harvested by hand in several passes to select bunches at optimal ripeness. After complete destemming, vinification took place in concrete tanks for around four weeks, with regular pump-overs and punch-downs. Aging lasted between fourteen and eighteen months in French oak barrels, 30 to 50% of which were new, allowing for harmonious integration of tannins and oak.

Grape variety

This Rhône Valley wine is 100% Syrah