Ferraton Cornas Lieu-Dit Patou 2022

Cornas Lieu-Dit Patou is made by Ferraton Pere & Fils in the Cornas appellation of the northern Rhone, from Syrah, the only grape permitted here. The Patou site is a modest, steeply sloping hillock in the southern part of Cornas, set on soils of crumbled granite. Granite is poor and free-draining, and the steep, sun-facing slope ripens Syrah fully while the cooler northern-Rhone climate keeps the wine fresh and peppery rather than jammy. The vineyards are farmed biodynamically, working the soil without synthetic inputs. The wine ages for twelve months split between oak barrels and concrete vats: the oak allows slow oxygen exchange to build structure and spice, while the inert concrete preserves the pure fruit and freshness of the Syrah. The colour is deep. The nose is classic northern-Rhone Syrah, with black pepper, dark berry and plum over olive, smoke and a savoury, earthy note that turns to leather with air. The palate is full bodied and firmly structured, with fine tannins and a long, peppery finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant for an hour. It pairs with grilled red meat, game and mushroom dishes.