Chateau Ferrande Graves Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Ferrande Graves

Learn everything about Chateau Ferrande Graves with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Ferrande History, Overview

There is some evidence that what we know of as Chateau Ferrande today was first planted by the ancient Romans, as they were active in the region at the time. The estate takes its name from the founders of the property, the Ferrande family. It is highly likely that vineyards were probably cultivated here during the late 17th century or the start of the 18th century.

It was during those times that the vineyards began to expand. The Ferrande family sold the property in the 1960s to the Delnaud family.

Shortly after the Delnaud family became full-time owners of Chateau Ferrande, a deal was soon made between the Delnaud family and the powerful Castel group to manage the estate through a leasing arrangement. By 1992, the Castel group agreed to purchase Chateau Ferrande in full.

The Castel group is a massive company. They are active in Bordeaux as a negociant and they also own several other vineyards, most notably Chateau Beychevelle in the St. Julien appellation. Since their original purchase, the Castel group has managed to more than double the size of the vineyards for Chateau Ferrande.

Chateau Ferrande Vineyard, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The large 90-hectare vineyard of Chateau Ferrande is planted for both red wine grapes and white wine grapes. 84 Hectares of vines are used for red wine grapes, which are planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. 6 hectares of vines are reserved for white wine grape varieties, which are planted to an even split of 50% Semillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc.

The terroir is sand, rocks, gravel, and clay soils. The newer plantings in the vineyards are done at a higher level of vine density of 9,000 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are roughly 30 years of age. During harvest, the red wine grapes are picked by machine. However, the white wine grapes are harvested by hand.

For the red wine of Chateau Ferrande, vinification takes place in large, stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks. The wines are aged in an average of 20% new, French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months before bottling.

For the white Bordeaux wine of Chateau Ferrande, vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks. There is no malolactic fermentation or skin contact. The white wine is aged in tanks.

There is a second wine, Chateau Guillon. On average, the large production is close to 35,000 cases of wine per year of Chateau Ferrande.

The Best Vintages of Chateau Ferrande are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005. Although it is important to note that vintages can vary as to their quality between the white wine and the reds with as in some years, the reds are markedly better and in other vintages the whites are superior.

When to Drink Chateau Ferrande, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Ferrande can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Ferrande offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-8 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Ferrande, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Ferrande is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The red wine of Chateau Ferrande is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Ferrande is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

The white wine of Chateau Ferrande is a perfect wine to serve with shellfish, sashimi, sushi, all types of seafood, chicken, veal, and cheese.

www.chateau-ferrande.com

Château Ferrande Wine Tasting Notes

17 Vintages 41,993 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
90
Cherries and plums with a hint of mint and cocoa come easily in the nose and mouth. Fresh, early drinking and fruity, this is going to be enjoyable on release. Drink from 2025-2030. 89-91 Pts.

Cherries and plums with a hint of mint and cocoa come easily in the nose and mouth. Fresh, early drinking and fruity, this is going to be enjoyable on release. Drink from 2025-2030. 89-91 Pts.

1,440 Views   Tasted
2022
90
Zesty lemons and a creamy, citrusy finish that is going to be delicious on release and over the next few years. Drink from 2024-2027. 90-90 Pts.

Zesty lemons and a creamy, citrusy finish that is going to be delicious on release and over the next few years. Drink from 2024-2027. 90-90 Pts.

1,385 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Zesty yellow citrus, with a dab of honey and loads of crisp lemons with a squirt of pineapples on the palate that is perfect for near-term enjoyment. Drink from 2024-2028.

Zesty yellow citrus, with a dab of honey and loads of crisp lemons with a squirt of pineapples on the palate that is perfect for near-term enjoyment. Drink from 2024-2028.

90 Views   Tasted
Bright, crisp, fresh and focused on its pomelo and lemon pith character, drink this on the young side to get as much of its sweet, ripe, citrus and racy acidity as possible. Drink from 2023-2027. 90-90

Bright, crisp, fresh and focused on its pomelo and lemon pith character, drink this on the young side to get as much of its sweet, ripe, citrus and racy acidity as possible. Drink from 2023-2027. 90-90

1,092 Views   Tasted
2021
89
Flowers, tobacco leaves, currants and spice create the perfume. The wine is forward, spicy, brisk and delivers a savory, herbal edge with a touch of citrus in the red berry finish. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2024-2030.

Flowers, tobacco leaves, currants and spice create the perfume. The wine is forward, spicy, brisk and delivers a savory, herbal edge with a touch of citrus in the red berry finish. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2024-2030.

99 Views   Tasted
Dusty plums, dried flowers and cherries, with a touch of cocoa create the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, round and already approachable, the wine has nice textures, along with sweetness to the fruit, but the red berry finish is just a bit short. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2023-2030. 88-90

Dusty plums, dried flowers and cherries, with a touch of cocoa create the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, round and already approachable, the wine has nice textures, along with sweetness to the fruit, but the red berry finish is just a bit short. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2023-2030. 88-90

1,190 Views   Tasted
2020
91
Medium-bodied, silky, vibrant and with a nice punch of savory, red fruits and cigar wrapper in the nose and on the palate, this is a superb example of Graves that while it can be enjoyed young, it will also reward a few years of cellaring as well. Drink from 2024-2037.

Medium-bodied, silky, vibrant and with a nice punch of savory, red fruits and cigar wrapper in the nose and on the palate, this is a superb example of Graves that while it can be enjoyed young, it will also reward a few years of cellaring as well. Drink from 2024-2037.

625 Views   Tasted
2020
90
Flowers, green apples and waxy lemons come through on the nose and on the creamy, lemon edged, spicy, vivacious palate. This is a superb value priced white Bordeaux wine. Drink from 2023-2027.

Flowers, green apples and waxy lemons come through on the nose and on the creamy, lemon edged, spicy, vivacious palate. This is a superb value priced white Bordeaux wine. Drink from 2023-2027.

575 Views   Tasted
With all its bright lemon and green apples, the wine is lively, sweet and refreshing with a vigorous, creamy lemon finish. This is a superb value priced white Bordeaux wine. 90 Pts

With all its bright lemon and green apples, the wine is lively, sweet and refreshing with a vigorous, creamy lemon finish. This is a superb value priced white Bordeaux wine. 90 Pts

1,564 Views   Tasted
2018
89
Medium-bodied, round, supple, fruity, and with a nice, tobacco edge to the nose and palate, this is ready-to-go. Drink from 2023-2032.

Medium-bodied, round, supple, fruity, and with a nice, tobacco edge to the nose and palate, this is ready-to-go. Drink from 2023-2032.

1,249 Views   Tasted
2017
85
Early drinking, fresh, citrus filled summer wine without much weight or complexity.

Early drinking, fresh, citrus filled summer wine without much weight or complexity.

2,031 Views   Tasted
2016
88
Fresh and lively sweet lemons, grapefruit and green apple notes are in abundance. The finish is crisp and stony. This is a nice value for a white Bordeaux wine.

Fresh and lively sweet lemons, grapefruit and green apple notes are in abundance. The finish is crisp and stony. This is a nice value for a white Bordeaux wine.

1,807 Views   Tasted
2016
88
Medium bodied, forward, early drinking smoky wine with a nice cherry core of fruit. Fresh and open, this will be nice to drink on release.

Medium bodied, forward, early drinking smoky wine with a nice cherry core of fruit. Fresh and open, this will be nice to drink on release.

3,230 Views   Tasted
2015
88
Open, soft, forward, early drinking, red cherry, tobacco and smoked filled, medium-bodied charmer that should be consumed over the next 6-8 years. Not a lot of depth, but it's quite nice to enjoy today.

Open, soft, forward, early drinking, red cherry, tobacco and smoked filled, medium-bodied charmer that should be consumed over the next 6-8 years. Not a lot of depth, but it's quite nice to enjoy today.

2,551 Views   Tasted
2014
86
Early drinking, pleasant, correct, easy drinking, medium bodied, uncomplicated, red fruit focused wine.

Early drinking, pleasant, correct, easy drinking, medium bodied, uncomplicated, red fruit focused wine.

3,404 Views   Tasted
2013
87
Light style of refreshing, yellow citrus, dominated wine, offering a lemon, lime, clean, fresh finish. This is a nice, easy, summer quaffer that is at maturity.

Light style of refreshing, yellow citrus, dominated wine, offering a lemon, lime, clean, fresh finish. This is a nice, easy, summer quaffer that is at maturity.

3,050 Views   Tasted
2012
88
Fresh and lively sweet lemons, grapefruit and green apple notes are in abundance. The finish is crisp and stony. This is a nice value for a white Bordeaux wine.

Fresh and lively sweet lemons, grapefruit and green apple notes are in abundance. The finish is crisp and stony. This is a nice value for a white Bordeaux wine.

3,061 Views   Tasted
2012
85
Light in style, forward and fully ready to go, with its fresh, cherry and tobacco character. Softly textured, this is best for early drinking.

Light in style, forward and fully ready to go, with its fresh, cherry and tobacco character. Softly textured, this is best for early drinking.

3,992 Views   Tasted
2010
86
Perfectly acceptable, medium bodied, early drinking, easy to taste, light quaffer with black raspberries and a bit of tobacco.

Perfectly acceptable, medium bodied, early drinking, easy to taste, light quaffer with black raspberries and a bit of tobacco.

5,400 Views   Tasted
2009
85
Medium bodied, early drinking, with sweet and tart, bright, crisp, juicy red fruits that are made more interesting with the mild tobacco note on top.

Medium bodied, early drinking, with sweet and tart, bright, crisp, juicy red fruits that are made more interesting with the mild tobacco note on top.

4,158 Views   Tasted