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Ferren

Two thousand twenty-one is a new benchmark vintage for Ferren and Owner/Winemaker Matt Courtney. The wines show a clear move in a direction that favors energy and vibrancy more than textural opulence alone, a reflection of both the year and an evolving philosophy to farming and winemaking. The Pinot Noirs are superb. In 2021, Courtney used the most whole clusters ever, as much as 50% for all the vineyard-designates, and that comes through in the wines’ aromatic presence and drive. “After working with these vineyards for a number of years, I felt comfortable with the fruit and the quality of the stems, such that I felt we could go to 50% whole clusters,” Courtney explained. “The exception is the Volpert Pinot, as we don’t have enough experience with the site to feel comfortable with stems just yet." As good as the Pinot Noirs are, the Chardonnays are just as compelling. I especially admire the focus of the 2021s, wines that clearly benefit from picked at slightly lower sugars than in the past. Fermentations were all done with indigenous yeasts, while the malolactic fermentations took place naturally and over an extended period because of the cold temperature in the cellar. Aging was 18 months in French oak for the Pinots, with no racking until bottling. The Chardonnays were whole cluster pressed and then moved straight to barrel, with no settling. They spent 12 months in French oak and six months in tank. I have admired these wines from the very beginning. The 2021s might be Courtney’s best wines yet. Don’t miss them!

From 2022 Sonoma: A First Look (Jan 2024) by Antonio Galloni

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2021 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

Release Price: $70

Color: Red

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