Ferraton Père & Fils
Patou Cornas Syrah
Cornas, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Cornas is perhaps the boldest, most extroverted appellation of the northern Rhône, and Ferraton’s lieu-dit Patou from the 2020 vintage is a full-throttled example of what this esteemed vineyard can produce. It’s showy from the get-go, with aromas of steeped cassis, smoked bacon, coffee and balsamic leading to a concentrated palate of kirsch, cranberry, fig paste and blueberry. No insecurities here: this leads toward heavy extraction and has an abv of 15%, but it’s all handled deftly, as is the use of oak, creating a svelte, engrossing mouthfeel. This wine, though not my preferred style, is outstanding really and should age exceptionally well – happy that this is the first bottle in my case and I can’t wait to try again in four to five years’ time.
NB. Something about Cornas draws me to rustic food; on the first evening, I enjoyed this wine with venison burgers and black garlic ketchup. Better still on the second, with Cumberland & black pudding sausage, using the ketchup again. One of the best food / wine pairings I’ve had this year.
Cornas is perhaps the boldest, most extroverted appellation of the northern Rhône, and Ferraton’s lieu-dit Patou from the 2020 vintage is a full-throttled example of what this esteemed vineyard can produce. It’s showy from the get-go, with aromas of steeped cassis, smoked bacon, coffee and balsamic leading to a concentrated palate of kirsch, cranberry, fig paste and blueberry. No insecurities here: this leads toward heavy extraction and has an abv of 15%, but it’s all handled deftly, as is the use of oak, creating a svelte, engrossing mouthfeel. This wine, though not my preferred style, is outstanding really and should age exceptionally well – happy that this is the first bottle in my case and I can’t wait to try again in four to five years’ time.
NB. Something about Cornas draws me to rustic food; on the first evening, I enjoyed this wine with venison burgers and black garlic ketchup. Better still on the second, with Cumberland & black pudding sausage, using the ketchup again. One of the best food / wine pairings I’ve had this year.
2016 vintage. Soft and indistinctive nose and flavors upon opening and stayed that way for the better part of two hours. Then started to gain substantial weight/heft, and spice complexities on the finish. Opened this waay too early but it lost a coin flip to the 2019 Alain Voge VV Cornas. Picked up a dirty, copper penny note + iodine along the way. 2.26.23.
2016 vintage. Soft and indistinctive nose and flavors upon opening and stayed that way for the better part of two hours. Then started to gain substantial weight/heft, and spice complexities on the finish. Opened this waay too early but it lost a coin flip to the 2019 Alain Voge VV Cornas. Picked up a dirty, copper penny note + iodine along the way. 2.26.23.
Feb 27th, 2023
Accomplished Cornas drinking well at 7 years
Accomplished Cornas drinking well at 7 years
Nov 7th, 2020
Milk chocolate ganache with a hint of mint and almond that gives way to ripe red berries. Tannins, mildly dry finish.
Milk chocolate ganache with a hint of mint and almond that gives way to ripe red berries. Tannins, mildly dry finish.
May 24th, 2016
Blake had this 7 years ago
Blake had this 7 years ago
Jan 19th, 2018