Nearly entirely produced from Grenache - from a plot planted in 1920 and almost legally Chateauneuf du Pape; separated bureaucratically only by a skinny country road...this is as good as red Côtes du Rhône gets in my opinion and has much in common texturally with fine burgundy. All stone, silk and spice. Delicious..

Philippe Bravay has now completely taken over the family domaine (Until 1995 most of the wine was sold to negociants and only a small part was bottled by his father) and is dedicated to preserving the unique traditions and special characteristics that define Chateauneuf du Pape. He uses very traditional methods including partial whole bunch fermentation, natural yeasts and cuvaison and elevage solely in tanks.

In the last few years Ferrand Chateauneuf du Pape has been rated in the top bracket of all Chateauneuf du Papes by Robert Parker who has been tasting young wines there for the past 20 years. Parker has an affinity for the wines of the Southern Rhone and a loves many of its wines made in the most traditional manner - Rayas, Bonneau, Charvin, Clos des Papes etc. It is then no surprise that he also loves Domaine de Ferrand and has recently parachuted their wines into the first division.

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