Description
Mistral refers to the local northern wind, it is made from young to 40yo vines located on sandy slopes between Châteauneuf and Orange, Philippe kept 20% whole bunches, and the much higher proportion of syrah opens up the wine and makes it perfect for drinking on the fruit. Cuve aged and bottled early in June the fruit is delectable – spicy cherry and raspberry with very silky tannins. Ideal wine for a barbecue or Sunday roast.
Domaine de Ferrand owns some of the oldest grenache in the CNDP appellation planted in the lieu-dits of Les Garriguettes and Les Jaumes in 1904, 1910, 1920, together with two other lieu-dits Cabrières and La Gardiole where the vines are 45yo. Philippe also produces two excellent cuvées of Côtes-du-Rhône on lower-lying, sandy terraces of the Rhône – the more fruit-forward Mistral and the longer-lived Vieilles Vignes.
He puts a lot of thought and energy into his vineyards. Producing grapes with balance in the cauldron like conditions of the south, means that control of the maturity of the grapes becomes vital. In this work he is convinced of the need to bring organic matter into the vineyard and to prevent the demineralization of the soil by way of sheep or horse manure. His work is organic in all senses other than certification. He ploughs, uses interceps to control grass growth between the vines, controls oidium/mildew with copper and sulphur, and doesn’t trim the tips of vines.
Philippe destalks between 10 to 50% depending on the vintage, vinifies and ages in concrete tank, with no racking or blending and without the addition of sulphur (until bottling) to preserve freshness and terroir expression. Effervescent, hardworking and inquisitive, Philippe leaves no stone unturned in his work in the vines and cellar, making one of the finest examples of age-worthy old vine grenache in the world and despite all the plaudits (e.g. Wine Advocate) sticks to an incredibly reasonable pricing policy. A gentleman!
Organic farming.
13.5% / 75cl
