A wine of quiet power and deep reflection, Le Méal 2001 speaks in tones of aged mahogany and black fruit dusted with spice. The nose unfurls with blackcurrant liqueur, roasted coffee bean, and a trace of truffle, followed by whispers of cedar, graphite and violets. On the palate, it’s broad and enveloping, a symphony of ripe dark berries, cured meat, and stony minerality framed by polished tannins. Two decades in bottle have smoothed its once-muscular edges into something seamless and soulful, ending on a savoury, endlessly resonant finish.

For when: You’re in no rush and the night deserves something profound.
Pairs with: Côte de boeuf, slow-cooked lamb, or simply great conversation.
If this wine were: A philosopher in a leather armchair - deep, wise, and quietly magnetic.

Founded in 1946, Ferraton Père et Fils remains one of the Rhône’s great family houses, marrying artisanal tradition with modern precision. Their Le Méal parcel lies on Hermitage’s sun-soaked mid-slope, where ancient granite and alluvial soils combine to yield Syrah of immense depth and longevity. The 2001 vintage, matured in French oak barrels (a portion new), is from a classic, temperate year that produced wines of balance, poise, and ageing grace. Guided by biodynamic principles under the mentorship of Michel Chapoutier, Ferraton has crafted here a wine that distils the essence of Hermitage, power clothed in elegance, granite turned to velvet.