Ferrand-Lartigue's 6 hectares of Merlot are situated at the bottom of the southern hills of Saint-Émilion. The 1999 is only Pierre and Michelle Ferrand's seventh vintage since their very first release in 1993. The key behind their success in such a short period of time has been Monsieur Ferrand's unwavering determination and drive to craft rich and unfiltered wines from extremely low yields - to pack as much fruit concentration into each and every bottle of Bordeaux.

Pierre epitomises the strong bond between all Saint-Émilion growers, a true artisan whose passion is the wines of Bordeaux's right bank. Ferrand-Lartigue's attention to detail in the vineyard is absolutely meticulous - in one vintage workers were tasked with picking grape by grape, rather than by the bunch - to ensure that only the finest, most ripe grapes made it into each bottle of Bordeaux.

Deliciously succulent black cherry and cassis fruits lead the way, with nicely integrating toasty, smoky oak rounding things off nicely: an excellent introduction to the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru experience.

"This is a modern-styled St.-Emilion with copious quantities of smoky, toasty oak, ripe, fleshy, earthy, black cherry and cassis characteristics, and plenty of pain grille (toast) notes." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (April 2002)