Chateau Ferriere Margaux Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Ferriere Margaux Third Growth with wine tasting notes and wine-with-food pairing tips. Learn all the best vintages, a 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 Ferriere History, Overview

Chateau Ferriere followed the Bordeaux tradition of taking its name from the original owners, the Ferriere family that founded the estate in the second half of the 18th century.

Chateau Ferriere left the original families’ hands in 1914 when it was sold by Henri Ferriere to Armand Feuillerat. Armand Feuillerat was already popular in the Bordeaux wine trade because he also owned Chateau Marquis de Terme, which is located in the Margaux appellation as well.

Following World War 2, Alexis Lichine who owned a part of Chateau Prieure Lichine, as well as a percentage of Chateau Lascombes leased the vineyards of Ferriere in the early 1950s until 1991. During that period of time, most of the vineyard was used for Chateau Lascombes, with only a very small amount of Ferriere being produced, just enough to maintain the name and its 1855 Classified Growth status. This explains why for a part of the estate’s history, almost no one wine can be found from the late 50s until the beginning of the 90s.

Chateau Lascombes and Chateau Ferriere were eventually both sold again. Chateau Lascombes went to Colony Capitol and in 1988, Chateau Ferriere was purchased by Jacques Merlaut. Jacques Merlaut also owned Chateau Gruaud Larose, Chateau Chasse Spleen, Chateau Citran, Chateau La Gurgue, and Chateau Haut Bages Liberal in Pauillac. Starting with the 1992 vintage, Chateau Ferriere was back as a full-time producer. However, as no cellars existed at the property, the wines were made at both Prieure Lichine and Lascombes until new cellars were built for Chateau Ferriere.

The daughter of Jacques Merlaut, Bernadette Villars eventually assumed the responsibility for Chateau Ferriere. This success was marred by tragedy when Bernadette Villars and her husband perished in a hiking accident in the Pyrenees. Claire Villars runs all the family Bordeaux wine properties today.

Over the past several years, Chateau Ferriere has tripled in size, with purchases of other vineyards in Margaux, most notably 13 hectares of vines from Chateau Bel Air-Marquis d’Aligre. The purchase took place after the 2012 vintage. That was a great addition to the size and quality of Ferriere, as some of the vines from Bel Air-Marquis d’Aligre were said to be pre-phylloxera, making them in contention for being the oldest vines in the Margaux appellation.

Chateau Ferriere Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 24-hectare vineyard of Chateau Ferriere is planted to 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. This represents a big change in the vineyard, in size, as it was until recently, the smallest 1855 Classified Growths at 8 hectares.

It is not only the size of the vineyard that has changed the plantings have have also changed. Previously, the amount of Cabernet Sauvignon was closer to 80% and there was no Cabernet Franc. Today, you have more more Merlot and less Cabernet Sauvignon. Though they still maintain old vines. In fact, a large percentage of the vintage was planted in 1952.

The vineyard of Chateau Ferriere has a terroir of gravel with chalk and sand in their soils. The vines are on average almost 50 years of age. Some of their vineyards are owned by the property, while other parcels are under a long-term, rental agreement. Their best parcels are in the commune of Cantenac.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density typical of the Left Bank at 10,000 vines per hectare. Chateau Ferriere was certified as using 100% organic farming techniques in 2015. They were certified biodynamic in 2018. The vineyards are located behind stone walls in the center of the village of Margaux.

With 24 hectares of vines, which is a huge increase from their previous 8-hectare size, Chateau Ferriere is no longer the smallest 1855 Classified property. In part, their previous diminutive size explains why the winery remains relatively obscure, as not much wine is available for sale.

Adding to their lack of renown is that for a period of time, the wine was sold mostly direct to French restaurants and not through negociants on the open market of the Place de Bordeaux. That previous lack of exposure did not help consumers discover the wines of Chateau Ferriere. Today, their wines are sold openly, using the Negociant system.

To produce the wine of Chateau Ferriere, vinification takes place in a combination of temperature-controlled, traditional, cement tanks and large wood vats along with a small portion that is vinified in concrete egg-shaped vats for about 20 days. The older vines are vinified in the wood.

Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels and tanks. The wines are aged in up to 40% new, French oak barrels for about 18 months. However, it is important to note that 20% of the wine is aged in amphora starting with the 2016 vintage. There is a second wine, Les Remparts de Ferriere. On average, the estate produces about 8,000 cases of wine per vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Ferriere are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, and 2005. Today, Chateau Ferriere is making the best wines in the history of the estate. The turnaround began taking place with the 2015 vintage. Previous years are not at the same high level of quality.

When to Drink Chateau Ferriere, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Ferriere can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Ferriere is usually better with at least 7-8 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Ferriere offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 10-02 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau Ferriere, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Ferriere is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Ferriere is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Ferriere is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

The Villars family also owns Chateau Chasse Spleen in Moulis, Chateau Haut Bages Liberal in Pauillac, Chateau Domeyne in St. Estephe, and Chateau La Gurgue which is also located in the Margaux appellation.

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