CHÂTEAU FERRIÈRE

The 2023 Ferrière is a hugely promising wine. At this early stage, 2023 looks like a wine of notable refinement. Ferrière is typically a big Margaux with large-grained tannins, but that is not the case at all with 2023. Dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and menthol abound. Claire Lurton likes to present this wine from tank, before the wine is put into wood, in order to show the quality of the fruit. For that reason, the en primeur sample is really just a snapshot. Drinking range: 2031 - 2053 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

A Lurton estate since 1988, when they acquired it from the Ferrière family; prior to that it was farmed by the team at Lascombes. Their first vintage after that was in 1992. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, much from old vines, managed using biodynamic methods. The yield is 40 hl/ha this year, the highest for many years. This sample comes rom concrete tanks, and does not include anything from the 40% of the blend which is in wood. An attractive nose, red plum and red rose petals, with fragrant gravel, all rather attractive. This is sinewy and fine on the palate, with a linear frame and rich notes of cedar and currant. This has lovely charm on the palate, a touch juicy perhaps, underpinned by abroad and rich frame of tannins, which persist through the finish. The alcohol is 13.2% on analysis. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Ferrière is a strong effort, bursting with aromas of dark berries, spices and boot polish, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with a broad attack, good depth at the core and sweet structuring tannins. It's a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)