Ferraton Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière 2023

Ferraton Père & Fils is a family winery in the northern Rhône, working organically and biodynamically alongside Michel Chapoutier. La Matinière is a Crozes-Hermitage, the largest of the northern Rhône appellations, made entirely from Syrah. The wider Crozes plain spreads across varied soils, with alluvial terraces of rounded stones and pockets of granite and loess. The free-draining gravels store daytime heat and the cool nights of the continental climate preserve acidity, giving a fresher, more approachable expression of Syrah than the steep granite crus while keeping the grape's signature pepper and dark-berry character. The wine is aged twelve months in French oak, where gentle oxygen exchange across the staves softens the tannins and adds subtle spice and smoke while leaving the fruit in the lead. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows fresh red and black berries, black pepper, dried herbs and a hint of smoke. The palate is medium-bodied and lively, with juicy peppery fruit, fine-grained tannins and a fresh, savoury finish at a moderate 13.5 percent. This is an approachable northern Syrah, ready earlier than its grander neighbours. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits grilled meats, poultry and herb-driven dishes.