first edition of the Writers’ retreat at château de ferrand
Few weeks ago, Château de Ferrand Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé had the pleasure of welcoming writers and journalists for a literary retreat among the vines. Curated in collaboration with Wine Lister, this event was a wonderful opportunity to bring together personalities from different spheres of wine writing – print media, digital press, tourism publications – united by a love of wine and words.
The first edition gathered Georgina Hindle (Decanter), Charlie Geogehan (Berry Brothers), Hannah Crosbie (Influenceur, The Dalston Wine Club), Lisse Garnett (Wine Anorak/The Spectator), Wendy Narby (Insider Tasting), Judy O’Kane (World of Fine Wine, Irish Times), Aaron Rowlands (Cult Wines), Red Stevens (Honest Grapes) and Sophie Thorpe (Fine+Rare).
A beautiful and meaningful project for Château de Ferrand, a property that has always been inextricably linked to the art of writing. Indeed, the estate’s original owner, the nobleman and politician Élie de Bétoulaud, was well-known locally for his poetry and his links to the 17th-century Parisian literary set known as the précieuses. The estate’s current owners are the heirs of Baron Bich, founder of the BIC Group – responsible for manufacturing one of the most trusted implements in a writer’s toolkit.
Friday, October 7th– Beginning of the Writers Retreat
Once arrived at Château de Ferrand, writers and journalists were able to get to know each other over a cocktail, followed by a dinner in the Orangery. The evening was highlighted by an horizontal tasting of the 2018 vintage: six well-known wines from France, Italy or even Australia, all tasted blind. A nice moment of sharing aroung wine!
dinner in the orangery
horizontal tasting of the 2018 vintage
Saturday, October 8th – Focusing on Château de Ferran and Cabernet Franc
Saturday morning started with a discussion session led by Georgina Hindle and Charlie Geoghegan, about the challenges and issues of wine writing today. Then followed a tour of the property and the vineyard, a vertical tasting of Château de Ferrand Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé (vintages 2016 to 2020), before heading to the park for a lunch under the 300 hundred years oaks.
discussions about wine writing
vertical tasting of château de ferrand 2016 to 2020
In the afternoon, guests were invited to the BIC tasting room for a masterclass onCabernet Franc led by consultant oenologist Axel Marchal, who has been working with Château de Ferrand for several years. A great opportunity to taste different batches of Cabernets Francs, in order to better understand the subtleties of this promising grape variety. Relatively to this, guests were able to enjoy a gastronomic dinner in the dining room paired with various French famous wines, recognized for the quality of their Cabernets Francs.
Masterclass on cabernet franc led by oenologist axel marchal
tasting of prestigious wines
Sunday, October 9th – Visiting Saint-Emilion
On Sunday morning, guests discovered the medieval city of Saint-Emilion, its narrow streets, the unique architecture but and the emblematic wine properties. A key stop to end this inspiring weekend in the Bordeaux region!
Wendy Narby, Judy O’Kane, Aaron Rowlands, Lisse Garnett, Red Stevens, Hannah Crosbie, Sophie Thorpe and Charlie Geogehan in front of Château de Ferrand
Château de Ferrand is pleased to announce the En Primeurs release of its 2021 vintage.
few words on the 2021 vintage…
Every vintage is a surprise – sometimes a pleasant one, other times less so, but always keeping winemakers on their toes.
The 2021 vintage was no exception: it threw up challenges to be overcome throughout the seasons, each with contrasting weather. Vigilance, responsiveness and adaptation were the watchwords of the year, which took determination and passion to navigate.
First vintage undergoing the transition to organic farming, it represents a real turning point for Ferrand in its quest for more sustainable viticulture. With a higher proportion of Cabernet Franc, Château de Ferrand 2021 is marked by freshness, radiance, vibrancy and beautiful balance. Here are some scores given by French and international wine critics on our 2021 vintage:
YVES BECK : 93-94/100
«Le bouquet de Ferrand se révèle avec délicatesse au travers de subtiles notes de myrtilles et de mûres suivies d’une touche d’épices douces. En bouche le vin est légèrement crémeux. Ses tannins sont onctueux et veloutés et assurent une bonne assise. La structure acide agit en coulisse et assure de la fraîcheur. L’ensemble doit être encore bien emballé ; l’élevage s’en chargera ! »
Yves Beck – May 2022
decanter : 90/100
« Grippy and textured from the get-go, with mouthwatering acidity, the focus on sleek but velvety, textured tannins with the blackcurrant pastille, black cherry and raspberry fruit taking a beat and settling in the background. Minerality is on show in the slate and crushed stone flavours, with some caramel and toast notes on the finish. Good potential.»
Georgie Hindle – May 2022
Alexandre ma : 93-95/100
Jane Anson : 92/100
«Love the slightly tart but deeply textured feel that captures the clarity and austerity of limestone but widens out to a creamy mid palate with blackberries, redcurrants and spiced cloves.Will soften further over ageing, and has all the elements in place to be a thoroughly enjoyable wine for drinking within five to six years, and will last for a further decade from there. Mandarin notes on the finish.(…)»
Jane Anson – May 2022
MArkus del Monego : 94/100
« Dark purple colour with violet hue and almost black core. Well structured nose with ripe fruit, sloe, blackberries, hints of wild strawberries, violets, fine toasting and hints of gingerbread spices. On the palate well structured and balanced with convincing length, juicy fruit, discreet spiciness and pleasant mouthfeel, a promising wine »
Markus del Monego – May 2022
RVI : 95/100
« 1er millésime en cours de conversion bio – la première vendange certifiée bio est attendue pour 2024. Une couleur rubis intense, un nez séduisant, le vin est équilibré, d’une grande précision, sur le fruit, un vrai charmeur ! »
Vladimir Kauffmann – May 2022
terre de vin : 94/100
« C’est une bien jolie expression qui se dessine, posée sur une belle matière mûre à point, parfumée, soulignée par le menthol et le bois de cèdre. La bouche est élancée, bien traçante sur une architecture salivante. Une pointe de rigueur dans les tanins mais tout est équilibré, fin et harmonieux, promesse d’une bonne longévité. »
As part of its BIC Art collection, a few weeks ago Château de Ferrand welcomed the artist Ho Lui to create a unique collaborative work, “Ferrand’s Smile”.
Born in Shanghai in 1955, Ho Lui began sculpting in Zhang Chongren’s studio, the hero of Hergé’s “Lotus Bleu”. In 1982, he arrived in Paris to study at the Beaux-Arts school of fine arts and became the first student from Popular China at this prestigious school. The Centre Pompidou exhibited his work in 1989.
Based in Antibes for many years, Ho Lui works in front of his studio. Drawing, sculpture, painting… This complete artist gets his inspiration by the world surrounding him, in particular passers-by that he considers as artists. Ho Lui reverses the roles between artist and spectators and creates his art works thanks to the people crossing his path.
BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD ANDREAS LARSSON AT CHATEAU DE FERRAND, GRAND CRU CLASSé de saint-emilion
Few days ago, our Hospitality team met Andreas Larsson, Best Sommelier of the World 2007, for a training session at the property.
A great day full of discussions on wine service, customer experience and marked by a vertical tasting of Chateau de Ferrand’s last 15 vintages. Our private Cheffe Marilyn Madray also took the opportunity to share with him her new food and wine pairing ideas.
Best Sommelier of Sweden in 2001, Andreas Larsson became Best Sommelier of Europe in 2004 and Best Sommelier of the World in 2007. Figure of wine and gastronomy, this epicurian is now a highly sought-after taster and speaker. Author of numerous books, he has conducted numerous tastings all over the world.
vertical tasting of the vintages 2006 to 2019
Marilyn Madray and Andreas larrson
CHateau de Ferrand 2019 and 2020 vintages by andREAS LARSSON
After the great 2018, 2019 becomes one of the great Bordeaux vintages. With optimal weather conditions throughout the year and an exceptional harvest quality, Château de Ferrand 2019 is the perfect expression of the property terroir and DNA. Made up of 73% of Merlot and 27% of Cabernet Franc, it’s a well-balanced wine marked by freshness, elegance and beautiful aromatic intensity. A futur great wine rewarded today with very good scores from international critics.
James Suckling: 95 PTS
« Very pretty plum, chocolate and hazelnut aromas follow through to a full body with polished yet chewy tannins and fantastic depth of fruit and structure. Powerful for this estate. Needs five to six years to soften. Try after 2026. »
James Suckling – December 2021
yves beck: 94 PTS
«Que de finesse dans ce bouquet qui met en valeur son expression fruitée, son terroir crayeux et son élevage. On retrouve le côté crayeux en bouche ou le vin dispose d’une bonne tension qui est de pair avec l’ampleur présente. Les tannins sont compacts, soyeux et atteignent leur amplitude tout en fin de bouche, ce qui est de bon augure pour les décennies à venir. Belle réussite… une fois de plus»
Yves Beck – November 2021
JANE ANSON: 93 PTS
«Located in the commune of Saint-Hippolyte, Ferrand is an estate that has seen plenty of recent investment and is making increasingly impressive wines. This has poise and focus, managing to be both mouth-watering and creamy in texture. Fruits here are dominant red and summery – raspberry, loganberry, pinpoints of redcurrant, with white truffle and fennel alongside. »
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux – January 2022
ANDREAS LARSSON: 94 PTS
«Inky dark purple core. Pure intense and glossy nose showing fine oak, toast, roasted coffee, cassis and crushed dark berries. The palate combines a dense fruitiness and concentration with a fresh backbone, layers of finely grained tannins, stylish and pure with a chalky freshness and a long vigorous finish. Still youthful but finely assembled and harmonious. »
Since the 19th of October, calm has returned to the vineyard at Château de Ferrand Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé. After ten days of harvest, boots and baskets have been put away for another year…
Good news! In 2021 harvest started a bit later than previous years (14th of September in 2020), which bring us back to our normal rythm. What a special year for us as we have given birth to our very first organic vintage. Another big step towards our commitment for the environment.
Let’s take a look back at four key days that marked Château de Ferrand’s harvest in 2021.
Thursday, 30th of September Time to kick off the 2021 harvest! Our team of around 30 pickers began with the youngest Merlot plants.
Friday, 1st of October A grey, rainy forecast forced us to step up the pace. For the first time, we had to harvest on a Saturday. The whole team jumped into action and, thanks to their efficiency, all the Merlot was brought in before the rain arrived.
Monday, 11th of October After eight days of harvest, we decided to take a break so that the Carbernet could benefit from the forecast sunshine. Thanks to the green pruning carried out this year, the plants were perfectly balanced, which meant we could wait for a few days to let the grapes reach perfect maturity. In the meantime, work continued in the cellars with the winemaking.
Tuesday, 19th of October This was the last day of the harvest and, like every year, the Ferrand team joined our pickers in the vines. At midday, we shared the harvest lunch together
We’re now looking forward to the En Primeurs Week in April, where you’ll be able to taste the 2021 Château de Ferrand 2021 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé.
On Saturday, 16th of October, Château de Ferrand Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé had the privilege to be part of the Souper organized at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte by International Friends of Vaux-le-Vicomte Conservancy.
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is a 17th century masterpiece initiated by Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Superintendent. For the first time in history, Fouquet brought together the most important artists of his time: an architect, Louis Le Vau, a painter, Charles Le Brun, and a landscape gardener, André Le Notre, to execute jointly the entire project. The result of this fraternal union was a work of unparalleled harmony and beauty. Louis XIV will hire the same team to build the Château de Versailles.
Sharing common values and the same love for French heritage, Château de Ferrand was delighted to partner this event. On this occasion, Ferrand’s 2016 vintage was served to all the guests during dinner. A magnificent evening in the heart of this French history masterpiece.
food & wine pairing with the 2016
philippe chandon-Moët, owner of château de ferrand
Thanks to its highest position and preserved environment, Château de Ferrand Grand Cru Classé is an estate with an abundance of biodiversity given its geographic location and unspoilt environment.
Ever since it was acquired by Marcel Bich in 1978, the estate has followed an environmentally friendly approach. In addition to its existing Terra Vitis (2012) and HVE Level 3 (2018) certification, 2021 marked a new phase for the estate when it was certified under ISO 14 001!
The ISO 14 001 standard enables us to better control the environmental impact of our activities, in order to continually improve our environmental performance. Achieving this is a natural extension of the initiatives and innovations undertaken at Château de Ferrand over more than forty years.
Another step forward for this Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé, which is also converting to organic cultivation.
responsible practices in the vineyard, in the cellars and in the offices.
THE PARK
From June 17th to 20th, Château de Ferrand was thrilled to be part of the POLO RIDER CUP2021 at the Domaine de Chantilly. This exceptional event braught together the 12 best poloclubs in the world for a 10-days competition.
Château de Ferrand Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé had the privilege to be the official wine supplier of the POLO RIDER CUP, with the 2016 vintage tasted on the VIP area and during the Gala Dinner that was held at the Grandes Écuries of the Château de Chantilly.
This unique event concluded with the victory of the Swiss club Polo Park Zürich, winner of the POLO RIDER CUP first edition.
Polo Park Zürich, winner of the POLO RIDER CUP 2021
The 2016 vintage tasted during the gala dinner
A few days ago the En Primeurs Week ended, a key event for the Bordeaux wine industry. An intense week during which Château de Ferrand presented his 2020 vintage.
Few words on the 2020 vintage…
The 2020 vintage is caracterized by an unprecedented weather conditions and the earliest harvests in Ferrand’s history (starting date of 14 September). 2020 also played to the strengths of our terroir, as the cool limestone-clay soils provided the vines with just the right amount of water to better withstand the high summer temperatures.
Château de Ferrand 2020 combines purity, finesse and elegance. It is an expressive, harmonious wine with a distinct personality.
Here are some scores given by French and international wine critics on our 2020 vintage:
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