“The 2013 Côtes Catalanes Empreinte du Temps Carignan is a beauty, with textbook purple fruits, black cherry, old leather, violets and wild-herb characteristics giving way to a medium-bodied, pure, elegant red that has bright acidity and fine tannin. Coming from 136-year-old Carignan vines and aged in older barrels, this is a brilliant rendition of Carignan that will evolve nicely for over a decade. Drink: 2015 – 2025” - Jeb Dunnuck, April 2015
FROM THE IMPORTER
This cuvée is subtitled 'Empreinte du Temps,' which could be translated 'fingerprint of time.' It is made from a small parcel of gnarled, low-yielding 130 - year - old Carignan vines growing in gravelly, pebbly clay. Not only is the vine age remarkable, but so is its grape composition: Carignan is not unusual in the Roussillon, but wines that are 100% this variety are. Organic/biodynamic. Low yields of hand harvested, organically grown grapes from antique vines undergo a 3 week cuvaison with their stems intact. The wine is cleared by careful decanting and is bottled during a waning moon when the Tramontane wind arrives in April.
The 'Empreinte du Temps' red is an excellent Vin de Pays Catalan Carignan, with a beguiling bouquet of wild berries and herbs and a medley of sun - kissed Mediterranean flavors, supported by a couch of supple tannins.
ABOUT FERRER RIBIÈRE
Region: Rousillon
Appellation: Côtes-du-Rousilloon
Producer: Domaine Ferrer-Ribière
Founded: 1993
Annual Production: 12,000 cases
Farming: Organic & Biodynamic
In 1993 Denis (an experienced fruit grower) and Bruno (a wine loving civil servant) joined forces to establish Domaine Ferrer Ribière - they have since gained an international reputation for their highly individual handcrafted wines. Denis and Bruno typify a new wave of young Southern French winemakers with low capital investment but exacting production values dedicated to making characterful wines with a true expression of terroir from local grape varieties.
Domaine Ferrer Ribière is one of two wineries in the Roussillon that is certified biodynamic. Denis is the son of a vintner, who took over his family’s vineyard with the intent to farm the vineyards more organically. The domaine itself has existed for seven centuries. Bruno came to winemaking later in his life with very precise ideas about the kinds of wines he wanted to make. Before he became involved with Denis
Ferrer, he was co-manager in an office that promoted Roussillon and its wines. During this time he fell in love with the world of agriculture and winemaking. After a near-death experience, he decided to leave his desk job and become a winemaker. When Denis heard about his desire to become involved in grape growing and wine making, he approached him and they formed a partnership. Their wives also joined in the venture and Ferrer Ribière was born.
The vineyards were originally farmed conventionally. Denis and Bruno decided that they were not pleased with the results of the wines and began working toward organic, and eventually, biodynamically farmed vineyards only. The vineyards are west of Perpignan, beneath the Canigou Mountain, which is 2800 meters in elevation. The hills of the “Aspre” range from 100 - 250 meters. The 30 hectares of Domaine Ferrer Ribière spread on these with a south to southwest exposure and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.
Varietals grown here are traditional: Roussillon | Syrah | Mourvèdre | Carignan | Grenache Blanc | Grenache Noir | Macabeo | Muscat. Their vines are very old; certain parcels of Grenache Blanc are 88 years old and have they two parcels of Carignan over 100 years (the oldest vine is 134 years). Yields are very low. Median age of the vineyards is 65 years. Wines range from Vins de Pays to elaborate single vineyard cuvées. At Ferrer Ribière, the Vins de Pays wines come from vines that are over 90 years old!
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