2017 Domaine de Ferrand Cotes du Rhone Classique Mistral

Philippe Bravay is extremely dedicated to preserving the unique traditions and special characteristics that Châteauneuf brings to the world.  Domaine de Ferrand is considerably small with only 7.5 hectares of Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards spread over 6 parcels in 4 lieux dits, half of which are 45 year vines and half are 95 to 110 year old vines.  They now also have 9.5Ha of Côtes-du-Rhône.  He uses organic growing techniques, limits yields strictly (his Côtes-du-Rhône, even, is less than 2.5 tons to the acre yield, and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape even less) and vinifies traditionally in tank.   Philippe’s vinification philosophy and practice is the same for all his wines, “I do not use barriques because I want the wine of my vines and not a technical élevage which loses the origins of the wine.  There is no filtration, only one fining for each wine. During the aging, the wine is neither racked nor blended, which is done only at the time of bottling and without the addition of preservatives.”