Ferraton Père & Fils : Lieu-Dit Paradis 2018

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for the Lieu-Dit Paradis 2018 by Ferraton Père & Fils

Tasting

Color
The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue tending toward garnet, reflecting fine concentration and remarkable phenolic development.

Nose
The nose is intense and complex, revealing aromas of blackberry and blackcurrant alongside notes of plum and dark fruits. Spicy nuances of black pepper, clove and anise enrich the bouquet. Delicate floral touches of violet add finesse, while mineral notes reminiscent of granite dust and slate lend a signature typical of the Northern Rhône terroir.

Palate
The attack is supple. The palate shows fine depth, with dark-fruit flavors that gradually unfold. Nuances of lightly stewed fruit, roasted meat and smoked bacon develop on the mid-palate. The tannic structure is elegant and firm, without aggressiveness. Medium to high acidity maintains a lovely freshness and brings definition to the whole. The finish is long and lingering, gradually shifting from fruity and spicy notes to mineral, earthy impressions that persist with intensity.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Lieu-Dit Paradis 2018 pairs perfectly with a rib steak or a grilled entrecôte simply seasoned. It also matches very well with braised meats such as beef bourguignon, where mushrooms and reduced sauces harmonize with the wine’s earthy notes. Herb-and-garlic lamb preparations also make excellent pairings. Game meats such as venison or wild boar, especially with red-fruit and spice sauces, ideally complement the structure and complexity of this wine. For cheese, opt for well-aged Comté or characterful sheep’s-milk cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve the Lieu-Dit Paradis 2018 at a temperature between 16 and 18°C to fully appreciate its aromas and structure.

A biodynamic Saint-Joseph with beautiful mineral complexity

The estate

Founded in 1946 by Jean Orëns Ferraton in Tain-l'Hermitage, at the foot of the Hermitage hill, Ferraton Père & Fils has gradually established itself as a benchmark of the Northern Rhône Valley. Since 1998, the estate began its conversion to biodynamics under the impetus of Michel Chapoutier, who became the owner in 2004. Now led by Damien Brisset as Vice President of Production and Chief Winemaker, the house farms around 37 hectares of vines certified Demeter since 2015. Ferraton Père & Fils stands out for its plot-by-plot approach to winemaking and its deep commitment to biodynamic viticulture, producing wines that authentically express the terroirs of the Rhône Valley.

The vineyard

Lieu-Dit Paradis comes from a parcel located in the historic heart of the Saint-Joseph appellation, in the commune of Mauves. The vineyard is characterized by steep slopes typical of the Northern Rhône, requiring intensive manual work. The soils show remarkable vertical diversity, with alluvial deposits at the bottom of the slope, granitic soils at higher altitude, and loess deposits at intermediate levels. This pedological heterogeneity gives the wine great complexity. The southeast-facing exposure ensures optimal sunlight for Syrah ripening while preserving the freshness characteristic of wines from the northern Vallée du Rhône. The vineyard is farmed under certified biodynamics, with biodiversity-friendly practices and the use of biodynamic preparations.

Winemaking and aging

The Lieu-Dit Paradis 2018 grapes were fully destemmed before vinification. Maceration took place in concrete vats for around four weeks, with regular pump-overs and punch-downs to gently extract tannins and color. Concrete was chosen for its thermal inertia, allowing a gradual, controlled fermentation. Aging then continued for twelve to fourteen months in French oak barrels, with only 10% new oak in order to preserve the expression of the fruit and terroir without masking the characteristics with overly pronounced oaky notes.

Grape variety

100% Syrah