2022 Domaine de Ferrand Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes

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

"The 2022 Côtes Du Rhône 'Vieilles Vignes' which is from very old vines (important with Grenache) literally across the border of the Châteauneuf du Pâpe AOP is by far the best example of this wine that I have seen, like his CNDP above. This is from a plot planted in 1920 and almost legally Châteauneuf du Pâpe; it’s vines are separated from the more venerable appellation by a skinny country road...right next to their home and cellar- the price is ridiculous when you consider what is in the bottle! ; this is always an astonishingly good Côtes Du Rhône and beats most Châteauneuf du Pâpe." - Andrew Guard

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.