2022 Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf du Pâpe Rouge

WINEMAKER: Philippe Bravay
REGION: Côtes du Rhône, FR
VARIETY: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault
VITICULTURE: Organic

"Philippe is making one of the finest examples of essentially old vine Grenache wines in the world today, fermented in open concrete cuve beton and aged in tank it is a wine of considerable style and grace and despite all the plaudits, it remains priced very fairly indeed. This 2022 is another superb release from Philippe, this is one of the most consistently great wines I import, and it will obviously repay careful cellaring handsomely." - Andrew Guard

Dark red; the nose centres on spiced cooked damson plum, peppery thrust at its centre. The palate gives a well-grounded, pretty fluid glass of Châteauneuf, with bustle in the tannins, the length sure, sparks of the garrigue present as it ends, menthol there. It has the body and make-up to come together for a handsome, genuine glass. Its gras is wholesome, tasty. From late-2026. 2046-48 Oct 2023 DrinkRhone.com

Although only a few will ever get to enjoy these wines as the domaine is very small (only 5 ½ ha in Châteauneuf du Pâpe and 10 in Côtes du Rhône, which over half is on vines approaching 100 years old) they are well worth the hunt. All the vines are situated in the lieu-dit Chemin Saint Jean, the same Northern holy grail as Charvin, Beaucastel, Marcoux and La Vieille Julienne. Current custodian Philippe Bravay uses organic growing techniques and limits yields severely (his Côtes du Rhône yields less than 2 tonnes to the acre, and the Châteauneuf du Pâpe much less) vinification is traditional: open top fermenters, basket presses, and cement cuves.