La Ferme Du Mont 2015 Tasting with Stéphane Vedeau

On a fine day in July, I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of La Ferme Du Mont with the talented Stéphane Vedeau. This was my second tasting with Mr. Vedeau, as I had previously tasted his wines at a similar event in 2013. I was curious to learn about and taste his latest wines and see how they differed (if at all) compared to the wines tasted a couple of years ago.

Many of the wines available at this tasting were newer vintages of the same wines tasted in 2013. However, there were also some new, previously-untasted wines such the Rosé and a pair of surprise wines from his other estate - Clos Bellane, one of which was excellent!

Stéphane has an endless passion for Grenache grapes, as evidenced by the 50 hectares of old vines that are cultivated on the estate in a completely natural environment, using only organic fertilisers. He continues the traditions passed down from his mother's side of the family as a 3rd generation winemaker to create beautiful handcrafted wines.

Some of these wines are available in the VINTAGES section at the LCBO, while others can be ordered privately via the agent Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

Tasting Notes:

LA FERME DU MONT ROSÉ 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (XD) - $16.95
100% Grenache using intentionally under-ripe grapes. Low-to-medium intensity nose of white peach, strawberry and grapefruit. The palate is medium-bodied with dry flavours of strawberry, floral and is herbaceous. It has fresh acidity and a crisp, lengthy finish with some chalky minerality. Score: 87-88 pts

LA FERME DU MONT LA TRUFFIÈRE 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#234716) (XD) - $16.95
Blend of 50% Grenache white, 40% Viognier (3% of which is botrytis-affected), 10% Clairette and a small amount of Marsanne (yes, that is more than 100%). Medium+ intensity nose with herbaceous, floral and some saline aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, fresh acidity and floral. herbal, and mineral flavours. It's nicely balanced with hints of tropical fruit on the long finish. Score: 88+ pts

CLOS BELLANE LES ECHALAS 2012 - AC Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas, France (XD) - $35
This white wine is made from 3 clones of Roussanne, 1 of which is harvested in November. Elegant, fragrant aromas of beeswax, flowers, lime and citrus. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, balanced acids with a kiss of sweetness and white truffle notes. It has a very nice texture and a long, clean finish. Very nice! One of my favourites of this tasting. Score: 91 pts

LA FERME DU MONT PREMIÈRE CÔTE 2012 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#251645) (XD) - $14.95
Blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Medium+ intensity aromas of plum, bretty, ripe black cherry herbs and a hint of mushroom. It's medium-bodied on the palate with sweet vanillan oak, spice, black cherry, and hints of strawberry. It has fresh acids, light tannins and finishes long. Score: 88 pts

LA FERME DU MONT LE PONNANT CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2012 - Unfiltered, AC, Rhône, France (#171371) (XD) - $18.95
60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. Complex aromas of crème de cassis, licorice, blueberry, oak spice, blackberry, and acacia flowers of medium intensity which replay very nicely on the peppery palate. It's medium-bodied with bright acids and a spicy mid-palate. Medium level tannins. The finish length is medium-to-long with oak, dark berry, and spice notes. Score: 89 pts

LA FERME DU MONT GIGONDAS CÔTES JUGUNDA 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#354118) (XD) - $29.95
This red wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, showing medium+ intensity aromas of purple fruit, pepper, plum and hint of meatiness. On the palate, it's medium-to-full bodied with balanced acids and pepper, spice and licorice notes. It has medium-to-firm chalky tannins that would benefit from 2-3 years bottle ageing, but drinking well now. Good structure. Finishes long with violet notes. Score: 90 pts

LA FERME DU MONT CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CÔTES CAPELAN 2011 - AC, Rhône, France (#078857) (XD) - $80.00
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Aromas of medium-to-high intensity featuring meaty, smoky, black cherry, raspberry and hints of graphite. The palate is medium+ bodied with very nice aroma replays and spicebox notes. It's well-balanced with mouth-watering acids and tannins that are somewhat chalky, and integrating very nicely. Excellent length on the finish. Will age gracefully up to 2026. Score: 92 pts