Ferraton Pere et Fils, Ermitage Rouge Les Dionnières 2021
Product Information
Country France
Region Rhone
Grape Variety Syrah
Vintage 2021
ABV 13%
The 2021 vintage in the Northern Rhône was a cool and challenging year, shaped by frost, hail, and a mild summer. Despite the difficult conditions, top Hermitage producers like Ferraton Père & Fils crafted beautifully balanced wines. Expect freshness, poise, and elegance over raw power, a true reflection of a cooler Rhône year.
Vineyard & Winemaking
• Terroir: Clay-limestone soils with rounded pebbles; sun-drenched south-facing slopes
• Grape Variety: 100% Syrah (from old vines)
• Vinification: Grapes are destemmed, with a long 4-week maceration in concrete vats. Traditional pumping-over and punching-down techniques extract rich colour and structure.
• Ageing: 14–18 months in French oak barrels, with about 20–30% new oak to enhance complexity without overpowering the fruit.
• Production: Small-batch and limited quantities, a collector’s Hermitage Syrah.
Tasting Notes
This Ermitage Les Dionnières 2021 opens with a deep ruby hue and aromas of black cherry, red berries, cedar, and violet. Subtle notes of cured meat, liquorice, and smoky ash minerality add depth and intrigue.
On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with vibrant energy and silky tannins. Expect flavours of ripe red and black fruits, cedar spice, and earthy minerality. The finish is fresh, clean, and persistent, showing finesse rather than weight.
A wine of balance and elegance, perfect for lovers of classic, cool-climate Hermitage Syrah.
Cellaring & Drinking Window
• Drink from: 2026–2027 onward
• Peak maturity: 2030–2040
• Style: Accessible earlier than warmer vintages yet built for graceful ageing over the next decade or more.
Ferraton Père et Fils is a small family-owned organic vineyard in the Northern Rhône Valley, with roots in a historic vineyard plot on the prestigious Hermitage appellation. The winery’s journey began humbly and grew under the vision of Michel Ferraton, whose leadership was pivotal in shaping the legacy of this boutique wine estate.
Two key events transformed Ferraton Père et Fils into the acclaimed, artisanal wine brand it is today. First, a life-changing accident that left Michel’s son, Samuel, wheelchair-bound, coincided with Michel’s declining health. Second, a powerful partnership formed between Michel Ferraton and long-time friend and renowned Rhône winemaker Michel Chapoutier.
In 1998, the two Michels entered a strategic joint venture, laying the foundation for what is now a modern, biodynamic winery in Tain-l’Hermitage. While Ferraton remains fully independent, it benefits from Chapoutier’s financial backing and viticultural expertise. Since 2000, Ferraton Père et Fils has fully embraced biodynamic winemaking, ensuring sustainable, terroir-driven wines crafted with integrity and care.
Their vineyards are cultivated using the same strict biodynamic methods as Chapoutier, with top vineyard plots released as exclusive single-vineyard Rhône Valley wines. Alongside its estate wines, Ferraton operates a small, high-quality Rhône Valley wine négociant business, offering selected wines from across the Northern and Southern Rhône appellations.
Winemaking remains autonomous and deeply personal. Housed in a 100-year-old wine cellar and using a traditional wine press, Ferraton’s winery sits in the heart of Tain-l’Hermitage, right on the Rhône River, making it a popular stop for wine lovers and river cruise travellers alike.
