Domaine de Ferrand, Chateauneuf du Pape 2004

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck

A classic Chateauneuf du Pape, Bravay’s 2004 is comprised of 94% Grenache, 3% Mourvedre, 2% Syrah and a splash of Cinsault. Coming from the northern part of the appellation, and aged all in concrete tanks, it offers ample roasted herbs, roasted meats, dark berry fruit and licorice in a medium to full-bodied, nicely textured package. Drinking great, it should have no problems over the coming 5-6 years.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck

Called a fine vintage by Philippe Bravay, the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape (94% Grenache, 3% Mourvedre, 2% Syrah and a splash of Cinsault) has impressive ripeness and texture in this cooler vintage. Giving up lots of darker fruits, peppery herbs and hints of meatiness, it's rounded, supple and mature on the palate. It's a beautiful wine in the vintage and should be enjoyed over the coming 5-6 years or so.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Bravay’s 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape is one of the better wines of the vintage. Deep ruby/purple with an expressive nose of seaweed wrappers (the nori used in sushi bars), with plenty of black cherry, blackberry, roasted meats, smoke, and tobacco leaf, the wine has terrific fruit, full body, wonderful ripeness, and light to moderate tannin. It will benefit from several years of bottle age but should drink well for 12 or more years. Another young Turk of Chateauneuf du Pape making waves and raising the overall level of quality is Philippe Bravay, who has created a name for this domaine over the last decade or more. These are traditionally made Chateauneuf du Papes with loads of character and oozing with Provencal typicity. If you don’t like pepper, kirsch, roasted herbs, and meatiness in your wines, stay far clear of these, which offer those characteristics in spades. One of the better values is again their Cotes du Rhones, and both 2004s are competent although not up to the level of their 2005s. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

One of the finest wines of the vintage is the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape, a true star and certainly one of the finest wines Philippe Ferrand has yet made. A dense saturated purple color to the rim offers up notes of seaweed wrappers from a sushi bar interwoven with licorice, blackberries, creme de cassis, kirsch liqueur, and Asian spice. Superbly concentrated, with terrific purity and a full-bodied, layered palate with good freshness and definition, this is a stunner and can be drunk early or cellared for up to 15 more years. Philippe Bravay came to my attention a number of years ago, and he is one of the most serious of the young generation of vignerons in Chateauneuf du Pape. His Cotes du Rhones are real sleeper selections, and not that far off the mark of his brilliant Chateauneuf du Pape . Both his 2003 and 2004 vintages have provided beautiful wines that frugal consumers should be checking out. These are brilliant wines. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

vinous92

Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds

Dark red color. Pungent and meaty on the nose, with peppery grilled cherry and dark plum scents accented by tangy minerality. Firm but lush, with dark berry and licorice flavors framed by solid tannins. Finishes with a note of sweet cassis and an echo of roasted coffee.