Ferraton Saint-Joseph La Source 2023

Ferraton Père & Fils is a family estate in the northern Rhône, farming biodynamically with guidance from Michel Chapoutier. La Source is a Saint-Joseph, an appellation of steep slopes on the west bank of the river, made entirely from Syrah. The terroir is granite, with thin decomposed-rock soils on sharply pitched hillsides that drain fast and force the vines to root deep, concentrating the fruit. The cooler northern Rhône climate, with marked day-to-night temperature swings, is what gives northern Syrah its peppery, floral aromatics and firm acidity rather than the jammy ripeness of warmer zones. The wine is aged twelve months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange through the barrel rounds the tannins and adds a measured spice and smoke without overwhelming the granite character. The colour is deep ruby with a purple rim. The nose is classic northern Syrah, with blackberry and red berries, cracked black pepper, smoked meat, olive and a savoury herbal note. The palate is medium to full, fresh and structured, with peppery dark fruit, firm fine tannins and a long mineral finish at a restrained 14 percent. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted when young. It is built for grilled and roasted red meat.