Eddy Larme, in his early 40s, showing a sprightly and kind temper, welcomes you in front of his house. According to him, he would be like his wines: “I want to make wines that stick to my mind”. The affable man lives up to his ideas and explains that without being organic, he claims a sensible, believes in the long process of the sensitization of the teams to more ecological values.
The 44 hectares of Ferré’s vineyard spread over gravelly-clayey soils and a limestone subsoil, in the town of Vertheuil. A terroir perfectly adapted to the late Cabernet Sauvignon, representing nearly 60% of the planted grape varieties compared to the 40% of Merlot and a little proportion of Petit Verdot! A grape variety that is part of the long, proven tradition of Médoc. The work of the soil, every two rows, makes it possible to limit grass cover. Because the owner of Château Ferré wants to keep control of his entire tool, he built a tailor-made functional winery. The man is clever and puts at the service of the development of his wines a R&D side he claims, from which we can not exclude a hint of empiricism. Fermentations from 6 to 7 weeks, running off of the fine wines, malolactif fermentation in the barrels, aging on the lees. Aging for up to 24 months in new barrels give birth to wines with an accomplished structure, because, he explains, “the wine must support the barrel!”. From 2011, Eddy Larme decided to practice hot malolactif fermentation, lengthens the toasting time of his barrels, while asking the local cooper for softer toastings to soften the tannins. The winemaker does not wish to derogate from the style of Médoc wines and remains convinced that Vertheuil can give birth to classic Médocs! The man has more than one trick up to his sleeve and pulled out of his hat a Château Ferré aged 54 months in barrels, telling us in a smile: “Here it’s the barrel that must fit my wine!”
Henry Clemens
Château Ferré 2015, Haut Médoc Cru Artisan
Nose of beautiful intensity with a ripe fruitiness and the spices of a well-integrated élevage. Beautiful, dense and tasty palate, present and integrated acidity, medium body, somewhat drying tannins but good. Very good. Ageing: 2025.
Château Ferré 2014, Haut Médoc Cru Artisan
Nice nose with a nice balance between fruitiness and complexity brought by the élevage. On the palate, beautiful material and enough volume. The material is tasty and the structure well built. Long final, just a little drying touch. A very pleasant wine. Ageing: to enjoy now.
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