A wine that shows wonderful fruit with a ripeness and freshness at the same time. Medium to full body. Velvety and open. Blackcurrant, orange peel, and lovely fruit. Energy. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.

Tobacco leaf, raspberry puree, there is an appealing earthy freshness that really works alongside the concentration of the year. Ripe black fruits, balanced by mint leaf, avoids the baked fruit notes that are pretty widespread in the vintage, maintains lift and juice. Harvest September 12 to 30, 24hl/h yield. 35% new oak, 35% barrels of one wine, 20% in concrete eggs, 10% amphora for ageing.

A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2022 Ferrière offers up aromas of dark berries, plums and sweet soil tones, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and layered palate that's suave, elegantly muscular and lively. From biodynamically farmed clay-rich gravels, this 18-hectare estate (formerly leased to Château Lascombes) possesses an unusually high proportion of old vines, with fully one-third of their vineyards over 70 years of age.

The 2022 Ferrière was cropped at 24hL/ha between 12 and 23 September with 13.7% alcohol. Aged in 35% new oak, 35% one-year-old, 20% concrete and 10% amphorae, this has an expressive bouquet with black cherries, cassis and crushed violet scents that explode from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with great depth, smoothness and gentle grip. This is fairly plush, keeping with the style of the vintage, and has a persistent finish. This represents one of the best wines from Ferrière that I have tasted in a bloomin' long time.

The 2022 Ferrière is deep, inky and quite potent, but at the same time there is some aggressiveness, especially in the tannins. Some of that starts to dissipate with aeration, but the 2022 remains a bit forbidding in feel. I am cautiously optimistic, mostly based on how strong recent vintages have been, but the 2022 is not an easy wine to taste at this stage. This sample is 70% amphora and 30% new oak prepared for the en primeur tastings, but the finished wine is expected to be composed of lots aged in new oak (40%), once-used oak (40%) and amphora/concrete (20%).

Another delicious, up-front, textured Margaux in the vintage, the 2022 Château Ferrière boasts a deep purple hue as well as red, blue, and black fruits, some leather, smoked meat, and leafy herb nuances, medium to full body, and just a charming, round, mouth-filling style that's going to drink well right out of the gate.