Domaine Rémy Ferbras Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2020

Country: France
Region: Southern Rhône

The Renaissance of a Signature

While the name "Rémy Ferbras" is widely recognized, few know the man behind the label: he was the very first Cellar Master of Les Grandes Serres, the historic estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Today, owned by the Picard family (Burgundians by origin) this house has quietly undergone a profound revolution. Under the visionary leadership of Samuel Montgermont over the last two decades, Rémy Ferbras has shed its skin, transforming from a traditional volume merchant into a creator of "sincere wines."

The philosophy here is now defined by a rigorous, almost obsessive, partnership with 30 local growers. It is a human adventure where the winery actively supports these families in converting to organic farming; today, most of the sourcing is either from organically farmed or fully certified vineyards , ensuring a fruit that is healthy, ripe, and pure. In the cellar, the approach is low-interventionist, using minimal sulfur to let the terroir speak.

There is also a distinct sensitivity to the wines, perhaps driven by the team itself: 70% of the staff are women, including the Portuguese Head Cellar Master, Filipa. They bring a precision and elegance often described as a "feminine touch" in a region known for masculine power. This is further refined by the Picard family’s Burgundian heritage, utilizing demi-muids and used barrels from the Côte de Nuits to age their Grenache and Syrah. The result is a range of wines that offers the perfect gateway to the Rhône: accessible and reassuring, yet ethically sourced and technically precise.

The Wine

The 2020 vintage is particularly celebrated for its elegance; while it possesses the region's characteristic power, it also shows a remarkable freshness and balance, avoiding the heaviness of hotter years.

Terroir: The vineyards are covered in the famous quartzite rolled pebbles over red clay soils, a unique geology that ensures perfect ripening and deep, complex root systems.

Style: A powerful and sophisticated red that harmonizes the generous, jammy fruit of Grenache with the spicy complexity of Syrah and the firm, tannic structure provided by Mourvèdre.

Vinification: Traditional long maceration to extract color and structure, followed by aging in concrete vats and large wooden foudres to soften the tannins without masking the terroir with excessive oak.