Chateau de Ferrand Saint Emilion Grand Cru (Grand Cru Classe) 2018

Château de Ferrand, a Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion, has a history dating back over 300 years, with only two families owning the estate throughout its existence.

It was first owned by Elie de Bétoulaud, followed by the Marquis de Mons and their descendants.

Today, it is owned by the family of Baron Bich, founder of BIC company.

The estate is now managed by Pauline Bich Chandon-Moët, the daughter of Baron Bich, and her husband Philippe Chandon-Moët.

Significant improvements have been made at Château de Ferrand since 2010. The vineyards have been restructured and replanted based on thorough soil studies and adaptation of grape varieties to terroirs. The cultivation methods have been revamped, winemaking buildings modernised, and cellars upgraded, enabling plot-by-plot management. As a result, the wine's quality levels have significantly improved.

In 2012, the family's commitment to excellence was recognised when Château de Ferrand became a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé.

The estate, covering 42 hectares in a single plot, benefits from a rich and complex terroir with clay-limestone hillsides at around 100 meters above sea level. This elevated position provides ideal exposure to the winds and excellent ventilation, while slight slopes ensure proper drainage during summer rains.

The grape varieties grown are 70% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing to a balanced wine with roundness, freshness, minerality, acidity, and a lingering finish.

The vineyard is managed with respect to each plot's specific characteristics. Winter pruning, budding, and disbudding are carried out with precision. The grape harvest undergoes three sorting steps: at the vine, upon arrival, and an optical sorting before transfer to vats.

Wines are matured in French oak barrels for 14 to 18 months, seeking a perfect balance that highlights the fruit.

Château de Ferrand has been committed to an environmental approach since 2012, and as of 2021, the entire vineyard is undergoing organic conversion. The estate holds certifications like Terra Vitis (2012) and HVE level 3 (2018), and it obtained ISO 14001 standard certification in 2021, further supporting its environmental efforts.

The wine has a beautiful garnet-red colour with a pink-crimson rim. The delicate bouquet of the wine is represented by notes of dark fruits (cherry, black currant), which, developing, transform into subtle nuances of truffle and spices. The taste of the wine is fresh, youthful, with harmonious tannins, silky texture, notes of red berries and spices.

This cuvée has beautiful hints of purple and black in the glass. Its nose oscillates between intensity and sweetness, marked as it is by notes of ripe fruit and flowers. On the palate, it has a supple profile, held up by fine, delicate tannins.

This wine can easily be aged for a few years, and it should be enjoyed at a temperature of 16°C. It will pair beautifully with a refined meat dish like hare à la royale.