Address: 33 bis, rue de la Tremoille, 33460 Margaux

Telephone: +33 (0) 5 57 88 76 65

E-mail: chateau@ferriere.com

Website: www.ferriere.com

Classified a third growth in 1855, Château Ferrière was leased by Alexis Lichine to Chateau Lascombes in 1951. In 1992 the Ferrière was purchased by Merlaut-Villars family and Claire Villars-Lurton has done much as director/administrator to bring the estate back on track, though the estate is tiny and remains somewhat obscure. Fine Margaux wine, a bit more high-toned Cabernet dominated in style. 2009 looks very good here. Second wine Les Remparts de Ferrière.

Vineyard/Soil: 8 hectares on deep gravel with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot on average 35 years old. Harvested by hand.

Winemaking/Elevage: Vinification in stainless steel with temperature control  and 20 day maceration. Malolactic fermentation in barrel and aged for 16 to 20 months in oak, in 60% new oak. Egg white fining.

• 2015 Bright edge; good density; intense and spicy aromatics; herbal and inky; some jam fruit tones behind this; some chew and sap on the palate; typically fresher style here at Ferrière; has the stuffing though. Vigorous Margaux. [65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% alc, organic in 2015, 35% new oak]. Drink 2022-2030. 90-92
• 2014 Deep and saturated colour; opaque centre; vibrant edge; fresh black cherry and cabernet purity; stalky cab tones; some depth and perfume; violet lift; elegant; tightness on the palate; more grip and acidity; compact texture and grippy finish. Chew and acid at present but like the aromatics and the freshness. Will come good and fill out to a degree – but typically fresh style here. [61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc]. Drink 2020-2028. Tasted 31 March, 2015 at UGC. 86-88+
• 2013 Deepish; vibrant meniscus; some wet stone; inky and spicy tones; vigorous with plenty of acidity, tannin and chew but there is fruit. Drink 2017-2023. Tasted UGCB April 2014. 84-86
• 2012 Mid depth; resin; blackcurrants; easy palate, not at all tight; forward and easy style. Tannins round. Harmonious effort. Goodish. Drink 2015-2022. 87 UGC Oct ’14 [Earlier note] Deep and saturated look; glossy; elegant and fresh notes; Cabernet feels ripe; some layers [oak at the back]; perfume; some black fruits; grip and structure; density with lots of material; chewy finish. Better sample than before. Tighter styled Margaux but pent up and should open nicely. 89-91+ UGC Thursday April 11, 2013 [Earlier note] Saturated and deep; some lift; quite fragrant and elegant if tight on the palate [as ever] but there is attractive fragrance and enough fruit. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 87-89 UGC Tuesday April, 9, 2013. Drink 2018-2025
• 2011 Mid depth; stalky notes; apples; blackcurrants on the palate; pretty ‘fresh’ in the sense of bracing acid and sap. Elegant and sappy. Drink 2016-2026. 86+ UGC Oct ’13 [Earlier note] Deep and vibrant at edge; redcurrants, quite ripe, feels quite saturated in aroma, with cassis and a ealy edge too; layered palate, lots of flavour but also acid, fruit and wood tannin. Bit worked but should settle. 86-88 Drink 2017-2025
• 2010 Mid depth; darkish core; wet rock notes with oak resin; little shut down; blackcurrant tones on aeration; more blackcurrant tones on the palate; some vigour and life with sappy intensity; sappy and vigorous style; inky and interesting. Intense. Good effort. Drink 2016-2028. 91+ MW Institute Nov ’14 [Earlier note] Deepish; earthy, mealy note; some herbal tones too; stalky blackcurrants; more richness on the palate; some layers and depth. Good effort. 88+/100 UGC Oct ’12 [Earlier] Pretty saturated in colour; very ripe, plush nose, attractive, some menthol, blackcurrant; layered and good; some herbs and spices here on palate; grippy but intense. Tannin here but should round out. Good and nice length. 89-91/100 Tasted 5 April 2011. [Second tasting] Deep and dark, some velvet, some strawberry, fleshy and quite seductive; freshness; ripe attack but also some astringency in this sample; quite dry on the palate. Needs to settle. More tannic and grippy sample. 87-89?/100 Tasted 7 April 2011 at UGC. Drink 2015-2030
• 2009 Mid depth; dark centre; inky and dense if slightly stewed; palate quite high toned yet intense with plenty of pent-up extract. Well structured. Less lush and tighter than many. 2015-2030. 89+ MW Institute Nov ’13 [Earlier note] Mid red, deep core; pure blackcurrants and very fresh; some violets; some oak resin; lots of blackcurrants on the palate; great purity here and real freshness. Like this. Grip and tension on the finish which adds punctuation. Good effort and has come together nicely since primeur tastings. 2010 was impressive here too. 91-92+/100 UGC Oct ’11 [Earlier] Fresh, good colour, dense; nice cassis, forward, lots of layers here; coffee and chocolate on the palate; fresh but also with a bit of bite and chew. Nicely done 90+/100 [Second] Deep, vibrant edge; some violets and savory notes with a rawness but opulence at the back; palate some fragrance withalso softer, attractive qualities; depth; extract and material. Quite fine. 88-90+/100 [58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted 30^th March and 1^st April 2010. Drink now – 2030+
• 2008 Mid depth, some density; some resin and ink, some red fruit and chocolate; herbal tones on the palate, very spicy; grippy with pretty dry tannin at the end. Whiff of under-ripeness? 84 MW Institute Nov ’12 [Earlier] Deep red; some resin and intensity here; blackcurrants and cassis; some mint and menthol; palate quite open and comparatively lush; layers; quite tannic at the end but with good acid and extract. Good, interesting wine. 88+/100 [70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot] UGC Oct ’10
• 2006 Good depth, central core dark, quite intense, some pine, some cassis, blackcurrant, not that bad; opened up in the glass too. Palate quite intense with grip but also layers behind, quite grippy with structure and acid, nevertheless not too dry, rather chewy and quite nicely done. Overall a bit on the grippy side but should come round with a few years – and certainly some food. 87-88/100 Drink now – 2020 MW Institute Nov ’10