Simon’s Pick, May, 2008: 2006 Ferraton Cotes du Rhone Blanc, “Samorens”

Biodynamic, Cotes du Rhone, Ferraton, Larchmont, Organic, Simon's Pick

Simon at Larchmont Wine & Spirits picks his wine of the month completely independently of domaine547, and though we happen to like a lot of the same wines, it just so happens that his picks have not coincided with our inventory. Until now. We’re proud to announce that this month, Simon picked a Cotes du Rhone from Ferraton Pere et Fils (now owned by Chapoutier, and an organic and biodynamic enterprise) that we’ve been carrying with pride for the past six weeks. And it looks like his reaction to the wine was very similar to ours.

Pick this beauty of a white up in LA at Larchmont Wine (323-856-8699) or you can order from us, as we have it in stock! (NB, for a wine this good, and this reasonable — just $12.99 — we’re surprised that so few retailers are carrying it. A check on wine-searcher comes up nearly empty). Simon says:

The great Jancis Robinson (wine writer and personality extraordinaire), during a recent interview with Charlie Rose said something to the effect that the most important tasting note one can make when encountering a wine is a simple “Ah!”. This simple exclamation reflects the immediate recognition of something that is distinctive and pleasant, a wine that intrigues on the nose, a wine that sits just beautifully on the palate, a wine that is just so…right. Above all, this is the moment that one surrenders to the simple pleasure of the wine, and not to the duty of over-analysis or quantification.

This lovely white provided me with such a moment and was made by Samuel Ferraton (he worked at Chapoutier before he took over the family estate), sourcing fruit from his holdings near Tain l’Hermitage in the northern Rhone valley.

Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this organic and biodynamic blend of Grenache Blanc (60%) and Clairette (40%) manages to balance its exotic fruit characteristics (ripe white peach, apricots and caramelized apples) and generous body with a freshness and invigorating acidity. Balance in a wine is crucial to its success with food, and this would pair wonderfully with grilled scallops, creamy butternut squash soup, salt cod croquettes with aioli or some Saint-Marcellin cheese. –SC

“Ah!” And did we say it’s just $12.99 a bottle? We did… As it does with Simon, the Ferraton CdR Blanc gets our highest recommendation.

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