La Ferme du Mont
(Stephane Vedeau) Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vendanges 2021
(Southern Rhone, France) - [JD 90-92]

The Story:
La Ferme du Mont in the Southern Rhône boasts a mosaic of vineyards, now owned and vinified by Stéphane Vedeau. Formerly a soccer player in Paris, Stéphane has spent 15 years making award-winning wines in the Languedoc. Stéphane arrived in the Rhone Valley in 2000, creating La Ferme du Mont in the Southern Rhone where he continues to produce wines with freshness and soul using native yeasts and biodynamic methods.

Terroir:
The legendary terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with its famous rolled pebbles, inspired us to express our passion for Grenache. Located on small terraces on the northeast slope of the appellation, the soils with their rolled pebbles derive their unique character from a high proportion of sand, where the Grenache expresses even more fruit.

Grape varieties: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre

A deep, purplish-red, this wine offers a harmonious aromatic profile on the nose, featuring ripe yet crisp red and black berries, caramel licorice, and lightly waxed Mediterranean spices. The attack on the palate is smooth and refined. The structure's freshness, supported by a volume of fine, imperceptible tannins, places this wine squarely within the expectations one has for a Grand Cru.

The lingering aromatic notes unfold in a complex mineral landscape reminiscent of undergrowth and subsoil. The precise balance between attack, mid-palate, and finish renders the alcohol almost imperceptible. The finish showcases a beautiful sweetness, perfectly balanced with the freshness and fine texture of the grapes. The aftertaste evokes extracts of great elegance, where the curve seems endless until the mouth waters once more. A touch of Pommardian spirit guides our decisions and actions throughout this entire period.

Tasting Notes: 
With a deep purple red, this wine offers a fused aromatic family around small ripe but crisp red and black fruits, caramel liquorice, and lightly waxed Mediterranean spices. The attack on the palate is smooth and racy. The precision of the attack / mid / final balances makes the perception of alcohol almost imperceptible. The finish shows a nice sweetness always in balance with the freshness and the fine grain of the raw material.

Ratings & Reviews

90-92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vendange (80% Grenache and the rest equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre) is a charmer, with ripe red and blue fruits as well as peppery garrigue and subtle Provençal notes. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, and nicely textured on the palate, with supple tannins, it's going to shine right out of the gate." (Nov 2022)