PRIMEURS

January was the only cold month of winter, while the temperatures of the rest of the season were milder. The vines buded early but grew slowly. These conditions were also not favorable to flowering, aggravated by significant rainfall. On the other hand, the freshness helped contain the virulence of downy mildew. The first day of summer marked a meteorological turning point and led to a hot and dry summer. There have been several heat waves with a risk of water deficit. Fortunately, beneficial rains accelerated veraison and maintained phenological homogeneity. The night temperatures in August were below average and favored the early development of the aromatic palette of the grapes and a particularly high anthocyanin loading. Alcohol levels are slightly above average. There is a good acid balance and a tannic and aromatic richness which is very interesting for the taste balance of the wine. The basic agronomic work in biodynamics carried out on the vineyards to optimize the balance of the vines and the buffering capacity of the soils is fundamental for the proper management of the hottest and driest episodes of summer.

Château Ferrière 2019 has an explosive fruit combining tobacco, mint and red fruits. The mouth is full and powerful and the finish very long with beautiful elegant tannins, characteristic of this vintage. A great vintage, remaining classic through its elegance.

2018 is a vintage that will certainly mark the spirits ... On the one hand because it was very difficult to born. A humid spring and an exceptional pressure of fungal diseases were followed by a summer with extreme sunshine conditions.

Certain areas of the Margaux appellation and more generally the South of the Médoc were favored by a few thunderstorms during the summer which allowed to reduce the impact of the water stress.

The musts with complicated fermentation potentials (high degrees, malic acid in low concentration) ended up keeping the technical teams under pressure until the end of the winemaking process. In addition, the quality of the wines produced has a character and a quite remarkable sweetness. From the first days of vinification, the vats perfumed the cellars with a generous and intense fragrance, letting the musts with a juicy and round  characters. At the end of the maceration, our feelings were confirmed when the tastings revealed powerful and concentrated wines. The levels of acidity remained moderate despite their high levels. This acidity allowed the wines to keep a surprising freshness.

The quality of the wines produced presents an absolutely remarkable character and sweetness. On the aromatic aspect, the wines are expressive and precise, the palate delight us with both powerful and silky frames.

The comparison between vintages brings us immediately to great references… 2009 for the richness and the generosity of its solar style, 2016 for the power and smoothness of the tannic structure with remarkable aging capacity.

A vintage at the crossroads of the best of both worlds: a precise blend of classicism and generosity. By Eric Boissenot - April 2019

Winter had a very significant rainfall deficit. What did not allow to recharge in water after the drought of summer 2016. The temperature contrasts in winter, had tempered budburst (early). The end of April was marked by an episode of frost of a rare intensity, inflicting particularly important events on the vineyard. The plots located on the slopes, plateaus and near the Gironde river had been spared. The best parcels of Château Ferrière were not affected (-15%). After this episode, the precocity of the growing accelerated thanks to very mild temperatures. Our plots in biodynamic farming showed particularly interesting profiles with sustainably healthy leaves after the summer rains and early September when there was a high pressure. During the harvests, we found that  the skins were thick, the seeds were ripe, the pulps were aromatic and the tannins were not very astringent. 2017 are characterized by ripe tannins. The wines are balanced, aromatic and dense.

The nose has aromas of red fruits and floral notes. It is bright and fresh. On the palate, the tannins are fine and elegant.

A nice fruity freshness makes the wine very pleasant. Elegant and racy style.

The vintage had many climatic incidents that made the start of the season complex : winter experienced rainfall records, some very mild temperatures, the frost and a constant pressure of fungal diseases until the end of June. This pressure was complicated to manage biodynamically but a great vigilance made it possible to limit the attacks on the bunches. In summer, the trend reversed with the driest month of July since the last 10 years. August and September experienced temperatures above seasonal averages. The water deficit reinforced the accumulation of anthocyanins in berries and the high temperatures lead to the production of sugar. The drop in temperatures in midSeptember helped preserving the aromatic quality of the berries and encouraged the maturation of the tannins and their extraction. The wines produced are very balanced, rich in color and tannins.

Beautiful intense ruby red color. The nose reveals red and black fruits (raspberry, cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant) and is very expressive. Hints of vanilla, licorice and spices (pepper, cardamom) bring an aromatic complexity. On the palate, there is an aromatic precision and structure is fully expressed. The wine is juicy with silky and wrapped tannins. The well-integrated freshness gives the wine its full dimension. The finish is very long and velvety.  It's a pure pleasure. 

The winter rains recharged the water reserves of the soil. The favorable temperature conditions, associated with the rain, led to a homogeneous bud burst.Summer became very warm from June 25th and the heat slowed down the first phase of the veraison. These restrictive hydric conditions were favorable to thicken the skin, to concentrate the grapes in tannins and the fast evolution of the pips. From July, the water conditions changed radically. Indeed we observed a succession of rainy periods which allowed to unblock the veraison.So far, we had the certainty that 2015 will be a great vintage. The merlot grapes were exceptionally good, and as for the cabernets, they were able to ripe in an optimal way in September with a very good quality of their tannins. The harvest took place from September 16th to October 2nd 2015.

On the nose, the wine presents a great finesse and complexity. It reveals ripe black fruits (blackcurrant and elderberry), tobacco and minerality. The palate is round, fine with wrapped tannins. It is fresh and powerful. A very beautiful definition and a great elegance. 2015 is a great vintage with a remarkable balance.

The nose expresses aromas of black and ripe berries (blackcurrant and blackberries) and floral notes. A beautiful freshness, neatness and aromatic precision. On the palate, the texture is harmonious, with wrapped and fine tannins. The fruit give a very pleasant style and accompanies the wine in its length.  A beautiful classic vintage.

The climatic conditions of 2013 were difficult. Heavy rainfall will remain anchored in our memories. However, the months of July and August were particularly beautiful and hot. What saved the vintage. This vintage is full of subtleties, wrested from nature by precision and rigor in the work. They are moderately strong but soft and elegant. The cabernet sauvignon are the backbone of the blend. They were harvested ripe without any vegetal notes. As for the merlot, they are unfortunately not present after a heavy sagging comparable to the vintage 1984.

The nose enhances aromas of plum, tobacco and red fruits. It is elegant. On the palate the fruit persists with a complement of black fruits. The tannins are ripe and the finish is long.

This is a wine that can be enjoyed in its youth.

In 2012 , Spring was particular difficult and the weather became  favorable from mid-July. Indeed, the winter was very cold and dry , with a significant rainfall deficit . The Merlots sagged and their yields were low. The control of fungal diseases were possible thanks to the prophylaxis and healthy vines. Finally, the favorable temperatures in July helped to recover the delays. And the rains of September drove to the evolution of the skin and accelerated the ripening.

The distribution of the bunches on the plant ( low yields ) and the sane status of the vineyard, added to a rigorous sorting of the berries were capital to optimize the quality of this difficult vintage. The  Merlots had a remarkable flesh and the Cabernets Sauvignon were both sweet and rich of elegance.

The very thin nose shows some blackcurrant, vanilla and fresh flowers. On the palate, we find ripe fruits and  also the typical nice freshness of Château  Ferrière coming with a beautiful velvety structure. With a rich and rounded volume, a remarkable elegance and all of this going with balance, this wine has great potential.

Winter and Spring were dry. Since the beginning, climatic conditions predicted an early vintage. The water deficit worsened a little more up to July and the high temperatures in June made the vine suffered.  The Merlot sagged after flowering because of these unusual dryness and heat.

2011 experienced unusual weather conditions that ultimately benefited many Cabernet Sauvignons. The grapes had a very good concentration of phenol compounds and very elegant tannins. The challenge of this vintage was a very strict sorting of the grapes. However, there is a lower yield (- 10%)  due to the weather, and the berries were rather small with a thick skin.

The resulting wine has both the power and the elegance.  Nice freshness on the nose and palate. The tannins are firms but silky.

Overall, the winter of 2010 was cold and dry, thus causing a late start to the vegetation. A warm spring then led to a fast and uniform bud bursting. The flowering of cabernet sauvignon was also rapid thanks to a perfect weather (hot and dry). However, some rains would cause the sag of the merlot.  The berries changed color rapidly but the maturation was slow and steady through the warm days and cool nights. Finally, the grapes were harvested in ideal weather conditions at their optimal   maturity. At the approach of the harvest, the level of maturity of the compounds reflected the exceptional weather conditions of 2010. This vintage rises to the level of the great vintages of reference (2000, 2005 and 2009). The wines are very colorful, powerful, with an excellent   balance of acid / alcohol / tannin. The maturity is exceptional, especially as regards the accumulation of tannins, sugars and aromatic freshness. It is a great year with an excellent aging potential.

A great vintage that will rub its big brother the 2009, without flinching. It differs by its very right style. The nose expresses notes of raspberry, cassis and spices. The tannins are still firm but ripe and tasty. The wine has precision and a good length. The harmony between power and finesse.

The weather conditions were particularly favorable to the growth of the vine and the good ripening of the grapes. The hail storm of May damaged 15% of the total area of the vineyards of Bordeaux. The plots were more or less damaged according to their location. The consequence was a decrease in the production. July and August had high temperatures and a lot of sunlight. This weather carried on in September with alternate cool nights and warm days. These conditions were ideal for the ripening of the grapes. The harvest of merlot began in mid-September. The berries were very aromatic and tasty with a high concentration of sugar and anthocyanins and low acidity. The harvest of the cabernet sauvignon began at the beginning of October.

They had a good acidity and the concentration of tannins was equal to the one of 2000 and 2005.

The color is dark purple. On the nose, there are notes of blackcurrant, plum, cherry and red berries but also floral. On the palate, it reveals  some elegance with a nice balance and acidity.

Still young, he will prove in a few years.

2008 is the seventh consecutive year when the winter was dry. It led to an early stop of the growth and the lengthening of the ripening stage.  At the beginning of April, the temperatures were negative, which resulted in frost-bitten plants and a late budburst.

On May 28th, a violent hail storm affected southern Margaux and it caused serious crop losses. The rains of early June thwarted the flowering and those of mid-August made the winemakers feel blue.  All these climatic events foreshadowed a poor harvest. But fortunately, the late season was dry with alternate hot days and very cool nights. These conditions were to save this vintage thanks to a slow and steady ripening of the grapes. They could then be harvested at an optimal maturity with an excellent concentration of tannins.

 The nose has nice aromas of red and black fruits (cherry). The nose is pretty elegant. In mouth, the tannins already start getting supple with roundness and freshness. A fruity, precise and balanced wine was produced and without austerity. Nature has given this vintage more power and elegance.

The Winter was mild and dry, which forecast an early year. The month of April was particularly hot, with high and unequalled temperatures in 60 years. The weather conditions of July and August were bad. On the other hand, September was unusually hot and dry. It was difficult to obtain a perfect ripening of the tannins for the merlot. However, their excellent sanitary state allowed them to reach the maturity expected. The cabernet sauvignon took full advantage of this beautiful late Autumn and the grapes were very ripe with fine tannins and concentrated in sugar, which was often superior to the merlots.

The vintage has a shining and clear color. The nose has notes of coffee beans and liquorice. In the mouth, a nice acidity brings a freshness and the tannins starts getting supple. Nice structure. They have the character of pleasant wines in their young period but with a capacity to age properly thanks to the tasty tannins, the sign of a positive evolution.

The temperatures recorded in 2006 were above average. The winter was cold and the deficit of water limited the development of fungal diseases. A warm and dry Spring allowed to catch up the slight delay of the budburst. Indeed the flowering was quick and uniform at the end of May. The color change was due to early Summer temperatures which were above the seasonal averages. Cooler temperatures in mid-August were made up for by good weather in September. This provided a nice end of maturation. 

2006 is a classic vintage. The color is very clear and shining. Today, it has aromas of blackcurrant leaf, cherry and liquorice. The palate is dense with volume and fine tannins which need time to get supple. A long and flavoured finish.

The wine has a complex bouquet of ripe black fruits (blackcurrant and elderberry), leather, minerality, blond tobacco and slightly truffled. The attack is silky like the structure. The tannins are present, ripe and wrapped. The wine is tasty and generous. On the palate, the aromas of spices complete those of the black fruits. The whole is balanced and powerful.

The Winter was cold, very dry and unfavourable to the development of diseases. There was little rain. The budbursting and the flowering were quick and regular due to a hot and dry weather; especially during Summer when the recorded rains were less than normal. The vegetal growth was steady and early. The vineyard was particularly healthy.

This excellent ripening favoured the concentration of sugar and of phenol compounds. In spite of an early deficit of water, the vine was able to extract from the deep gravels soil the necessary water for its harmonious development.

The 2005 vintage has produced a wine with an outstanding balance.  The beautiful color is purple, dark and shiny. The nose is still very reserved and elegant with notes of black fruits and blond tobacco.  The palate is powerful and structured, giving the impression of a great freshness. The final is long and elegant.

The powerful and structured mouth leaves an impression of freshness. The finish is long and elegant. We feel the potential to come. To drink between 2014 and 2030.

Winter and Spring were pretty dry and that favoured the deep rooting of the vine. Recorded rainfall of Winter was below the average of the last 30 years and the low level of groundwater caused drought but without water stress. The ideal weather conditions in June encouraged the flowering and it resulted in a generous harvest.  The ripening was homogeneous. From late August to September, the alternation of cool nights and sunny days allowed a slow and steady maturation, which is the characteristic of a classic vintage.

The grapes were harvested at a perfect maturity. The result is a rich, elegant and balanced vintage.

.

The vintage gave a very interesting balance with a lot of fruit and freshness. The wine is complex, dense and very refined. This vintage mixes the generosity of 2000 and the tannic and aromatic complexity of 1996 and 2002. 2004 will definitely be a reference vintage.

2003 will be remembered as the year of a Summer heatwave. It was a very early vintage but with a low harvest. The long and consistent flowering took place in late May and was one to two weeks early. June was marked by scorching temperatures and violent storms with occasional hail. July and August were hot and the grapes changed color heterogeneously.

The harvest began on September 11th and the choice of the date was a compromise between the high sugar content, the low acidity and the ripeness of the tannins and aromas. The heat wave continued in September with some rain at the beginning of the month, which weakened the merlot. However, the wines were relatively colorful and powerful.

This vintage is surprisingly well balanced and apt to age long.

The color is dark. The nose is open, it contains notes of caramel. The attack is full. The palate is balanced with toasted, liquorices notes and an amazing freshness. To drink in 10-30 years.

The Winter was dry and the recorded rainfall was below 300 mm regarding to the seasonal one. An early hot and dry Spring triggered an early flowering. But heavy rains affected the yields while causing shatter and millerandage. This also contributed to the aeration of the bunches of grapes. August was stormy with 49 mm of rainfall in one day. This stimulated an early and uniform ripening. Ideal weather conditions with sun and heat, ensured an optimal maturation of the grapes. The sanitary status of the harvest was good.

A great vintage, which is close to 1986 and 1996 (other great vintages for cabernet sauvignon). It has a nice balance, which is supported by a frame of fine and tasty tannins. It offers a good ripeness of the aromas and of the tannins. Its concentration forecasts a good capacity in ageing. The 2002 seems like a return to a more traditional wine that has made the reputation of the Margaux appellation.

The winter was very rainy and the good climate conditions came back in May. This enabled a fast and uniform flowering in early June. There were plenty of bunches. The heat of August erased the heterogeneity recorded at the time when the color of the grapes changed. The significant drop of the temperatures at the beginning of September facilitated the concentration of sugar and acidity. The merlots were quite pretty and the cabernets sauvignon were very concentrated in tannins but with a relatively low extractability. In spite of the good quality of the     merlot, they remain under the quality of 2000.

The cabernet sauvignon reached a perfect phenolic ripeness despite the coolness of early September. At the end of the malolactic fermentation, the wine had a very good balance. This is a classic vintage of very good level.

The color is dark red. The nose has aromas of cherry, red fruits and tobacco. The attack is full, soft and fleshy. A lot of freshness with liquorices aromas and a long final. To drink within 10 and 15 years.

The mild Winter led to the development of mildew. The bad weather of Spring had caused a late flowering. Until July, the weather was poor with storms and low temperatures. Then, the climate changed with extremely high temperatures and very little rain, which was ideal for the perfect ripening of the grapes. Overall production was moderately plentiful but the quality was homogeneous. Merlot was the most successful.

The 2000 vintage has a remarkage ageing  capacity due to an unusual concentration of tannins. This is an exceptional vintage.

The color is deep. The nose is elegant and fluid with aromas of black truffle, mocha and tobacco but it is still fruity. The attack is beautiful. It is a powerful wine with long, elegant and fresh tannins. The wine is very elegant. To drink after 20 years. It will need decanting.

Winter broke all records in terms of rainfalls and was one of the mildest ever recorded. The climatic incidents were numerous, making this beginning of the season particularly complex, with frost and the incessant pressure of mildew  until the end of June. In summer, the trend is reversed with a very dry July. It is noted that the water deficit increased the accumulation of anthocyanins in the berries and high temperatures have favored the accumulation of sugar. The drop in temperatures at mid-September helped to preserve the aromatic quality of the grapes and encourage the ripening and the tannins extraction. To conclude, the year started with a complicated weather.

Fortunately, the warm and dry summer completed with a pretty cool late season, allowed the grapes to grow in the best conditions and with an optimal maturation. The wine is balanced and rich in color and tannins.

The harvest began on September 25th and ended on October 17, 2016.

A very nice and balanced vintage. The nose has a beautiful aromatic energy of tobacco, liquorice, black fruits and spices. The palate is fleshy and dense.

The vintage has a lot of personnality. A wine with a beautiful tannic structure and finesse.

Winter was rainy and dry. In April, we had an homogeneous budburst due to a favorable weather conditions, combining to a good water reserve of the soil. Flowering started with a correct fruit set rate.

Summer became very hot from June 25th. These restrictive water conditions thickened the skin of the fruit, favored their concentration and quicken the ripening of the seeds. From July, water conditions changed radically with some rains, which unblocked the berry set. After that, the sun dried all humidity and allowed the maturation of the tannins. They were very elegant. 2015 is a great vintage. Merlots were exceptionally good and the tannins of the Cabernets succeeded to ripen completely in September.

The harvests started on September 16th and finished on October 2nd, 2015.

The vintage shows all the hallmarks of a great wine. A nice nose with a mix of fresh fruits, blossom notes and spices. A very beautiful clarity of the fruit. On the palate, the tannins are smooths and round. A nice balance between freshness, fruitiness and the silkiness of the structure. The wine is both elegant and dense. A very beautiful complexity and a nice length.

Spring was early and Summer very temperate and humid until late August. The grapevine had a long growing season and a late maturity. These conditions have mobilized teams and imposed a hard work in the vineyard to protect it.
At the end of August, the heat and sunshine returned permanently in our area for almost 60 days! Optimal conditions for an ideal and steady maturation were gathered with warm days and cool nights. An outstanding maturity of the tannins was observed with all indicators for a great vintage: grapes rich in polyphenols, a good level of acidity and sugars and a beautiful freshness of the fruit.
The harvest took place from September 23rd to October 8th. 

2014 is a great success and the vintage gave a wine with a nice balance.

It reveals aromas of red and black fruits (cherry, plm, blueberry, blackberry) and freshness.

The tannins are ripe and wrapped. It is a fleshy and fruity vintage in the pure style of Margaux

2012 experienced a difficult weather with a dry and cold winter. Prophylaxis and the equilibrium of the vines played an important role in controlling fungal diseases. The weather became more favorable from mid-July. And from that date, all delays had been caught up thanks to the high temperatures of August. And finally, the rainfall of September favored the evolution of the skin and accelerated the ripening of the grapes.  We started harvesting on October 1st and end on October 10th, 2012. The distribution of the bunches on the plant (low yields) and the sane status of the vineyard, added to a very precise sorting, were capital this year to maximize the quality of this vintage. Merlot quickly showed a remarkable pulp. When the Cabernet Sauvignon, they didn’t disappoint us and were faithful in our land of Médoc. They are soft and rich of elegance. The vintage will be powerful, soft and digest. 2012 is a very good vintage.

The vintage gave a fresh, fruity and fine wine. Aromas of red berries, cassis and cherry. We have the same fruits on the palate. The persistency is long with volume. The wine has a nice structure with wrapped, riped and fine tannins. It is an elegant and balance wine in the very classic style of Margaux.