Domaines Claire Villars Lurton - Château Ferrière

The history of Château Ferrière

The estate was founded in the 18th century by Gabriel Ferrière, a shipbroker and officer in the king's hunting party. It was then taken over in 1792 by his first cousin Jean, mayor of Bordeaux, who began to expand the estate. Château Ferrière went through a series of owners, all more or less direct descendants of Gabriel Ferrière.

In 1913, the property was sold to Armand Feuillerat. The vines were somewhat neglected, until the rebirth of Château Ferrière when it was bought by Jacques Merlaut in 1988. Today, Claire Villars, Armand Feuillerat's granddaughter, runs the estate. She also inherited Châteaux Haut-Bages Libéral and La Gurgue.

The terroir of Château Ferrière

Château Ferrière's soil is composed of very deep Garonne gravel deposited on limestone marl. This composition makes for a rather poor, but draining soil. It favors deep-rooted vines and concentrated grapes. The vines grow in the center of the Margaux appellation terroir.

The vines benefit from the mild, humid temperate oceanic climate between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Gironde estuary.

The grape varieties of Château Ferrière

The Château Ferrière vineyard is made up of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The main grape variety of AOC Margaux is Cabernet Sauvignon. It contributes to the wine's structure and bouquet, and gives it generous ageing potential. Merlot comes in second place, providing roundness.

The biodynamic vineyards of Château Ferrière

Since 2015, Château Ferrière has held Organic Agriculture certification and, since 2018, Demeter and Biodyvin biodynamic certification.

The wines of Château Ferrière

The first Château Ferrière wine

The first Château Ferrière wine is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Château Ferrière has a deep purple color. It is a balanced, elegant wine with fine tannins. The nose is complex, combining strong fruitiness with a light minerality, tinged with a hint of acidity. There are hints of blackcurrant and blackberry, as well as floral notes. Still very fresh, the palate offers a harmonious texture, with a long, fruity finish.

Les Remparts / La Dame de Ferrière

Château Ferrière's second wine is called Les Remparts / La Dame de Ferrière. It's a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. This complex wine boasts a splendid purple color. The nose combines fresh fruit, floral notes and spices. Fresh and balanced on the palate, cradled by fine, round tannins. The wine's robust structure gives it fullness.