2006 Ferraton Père & Fils Crozes-Ermitage Le Grand Courtil
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The 2006 Crozes-Hermitage Le Grand Courtil exhibits abundant creme de cassis notes intermixed with incense, charcoal, licorice, and bouquet garni. Rich, full-bodied, and dense, it is a superb example of red Crozes-Hermitage. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. Owned by Michel Chapoutier, Ferraton has been a solidly reliable, if uninspiring producer until the last several vintages. A few years ago, the Chapoutier team decided to push for maximum quality at this estate, and as a result, the finest wines to emerge thus far are the 2006s, followed by the 2007s. Moreover, prices remain extremely fair as the world marketplace has not yet recognized the rise in quality of Ferraton wines. The white wines performed strongly. Ferraton also produces some single vineyard red and white offerings called Selection Parcellaires. These are the finest wines I have yet tasted from this estate. The 2007 single vineyard reds are slightly lighter and more finesse-styled, with more noticeable acidity. Kudos to Michel Chapoutier and the team at Ferraton for fashioning what are clearly their finest wines to date. Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994
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Robert Parker
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Bright ruby. Complex bouquet of smoky cherry, cassis, violet and tobacco. Pliant and sweet, with deep dark berry preserve flavors, gentle tannins and exotic notes of chewing tobacco and candied flowers. With its gentle mineral lift and very soft tannins, this is open for business right now.
Deep ruby. Intensely perfumed, with a seductive bouquet of smoky dark berries, flowers and minerals. Lush blackberry and boysenberry flavors are gently framed by soft tannins, gaining energy on the long, sappy finish. Very suave wine.