Château de Ferrand 2019 Grand Cru Classé from Saint‑Émilion is a wine that makes no attempt to hide where it comes from. From the moment it hits the glass, everything speaks Bordeaux: eucalyptus, mint, lavender, red and black fruit, elegance and quiet power. Since 2012, it has been steadily winning over both consumers and critics, with James Suckling awarding an impressive 95 points to the outstanding 2019 vintage. Its price remains refreshingly modest for the level of quality it delivers, making now the ideal moment to discover it!
The estate behind Château de Ferrand 2019 Grand Cru Classé has been consistently raising the bar over the last 15 years, earning the prestigious Grand Cru Classé status in 2012. Its history, however, stretches much further back, as the château was founded in 1702. In 1977, it was acquired by the Bich family, owners of the BIC group (yes, the pen people!), marking the beginning of a major renaissance. Significant investments were made both in the vineyards and the winery, laying the foundations for wines of far higher ambition and precision. Today, the organically certified vineyards are planted predominantly with Merlot, complemented by smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and a tiny parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Although 2019 was a warm vintage in Bordeaux, the clay‑limestone soils of Château de Ferrand played a crucial role in preserving freshness in the grapes, as the vines did not suffer from drought. For the final blend of Château de Ferrand 2019 Grand Cru Classé, the team selected only Merlot (73%) and Cabernet Franc (27%). Fermentation is carried out parcel by parcel, allowing the winemaking team to assemble the final blend according to the unique expression of each plot and vintage. The wine is then matured for 14–18 months in 225‑litre French oak barrels, 30% of which are new, gently embracing the generous fruit, adding layers of complexity and polishing the texture on the palate.
This is a Saint‑Émilion Grand Cru Classé that truly “exceeds expectations”, offering both immediate pleasure and the structure to evolve beautifully over the coming years.
