2018 Ferraton Père et Fils Samorëns Côtes-du-Rhône 750 ml

The Ferraton Samorëns Côtes-du-Rhône sips unlike any other wine in the category, and we suspect that when the rest of the industry catches on, it won’t remain an under-the-radar steal for smart value seekers and Châteauneuf-du-Pape die-hards. 

Before that happens, we’re granting access to this stunning Rhône blend to Wine Access members. 

Overflowing with heady aromas of black and red berries, garrigue, licorice, and spice the 2018 Samorëns bottling could easily stand up to a Gigondas or Vacqueyras—Rhône Valley wines that typically command $50 or more. Driven by juicy, cherry-laden Grenache, this wine dances on the palate, deftly balancing just-picked fruit flavors with intriguing spicy nuances redolent of clove, allspice, and wild herbs. 

The secret to this wine’s unique complexity lies with the relationship that isn’t printed on the bottle: The collaborative efforts of Ferraton and Michel Chapoutier, the Rhône wine legend and Robert Parker favorite with over 30 (yes, THIRTY) 100-point scores. 

For over 20 years, the two families have worked together across the Rhône Valley, cementing the quality of Ferraton Père & Fils vineyards along the way. Chapoutier joined the Ferratons in 1998 to assist with their transition to biodynamic and certified organic farming; he has remained an influential figure in their winemaking ever since.

The Ferratons pride themselves on the ability to create terroir-driven Rhône Valley wines like their 2018 Côtes-du-Rhône Samorëns, which reveals a dense, mouth-filling texture, with exuberant flavors of berries, herbs de Provence, and white pepper. Rhône expert Jeb Dunnuck loved its “rich, mouthfilling style,” noting the young wine’s “outstanding potential,” while Vinous praised its “appealing blend of depth and delicacy.” 

Ferraton’s Grenache-dominant Côtes-du-Rhône uses just 15% Syrah and 5% Cinsault to round out its firm structure and meaty tannins. Winemaker Damien Brisset sources grapes from some of the region’s best vineyards on the left bank of the Rhône River, where alluvial and gravel soils allow the vines to retain more heat during ripening. The wine is then aged in a mix of stainless steel and concrete. 

The result is a wine with a luscious garnet color, dazzling aromas, and rich flavors that is easy-going enough for everyday drinking yet pairs beautifully with everything from charcuterie to game meats, or our favorite—a whole roasted duck.