La Ferme Rouge 'La Petite Ferme Rouge' Zaërs AOG 2020

The history of La Ferme Rouge (The Red Farm) is entwined with the wine history of Morocco. The 300 ha estate sits on a series of hills at the heart of the Zaërs region, a historic wine region about 45 km from the ocean, and one strongly influenced by the Atlantic’s proximity. Bordered on the west by the Wadi Korifla valleys and to the south by the foothills of the Middle Atlas, the estate’s terroir include ancient sands, red clay, and iron-rich clay on clay-limestone subsoil and shale, which results in wines of great structure and minerality. La Ferme Rouge dates back to 1908, and under French influence, built cellars and produced the first vintage in 1933. Extensive modernization efforts were undertaken in 1998, renovating the cellars and revitalizing the soils in the vineyards, which had fallen victim to poorly managed plowing. All of these efforts came to fruition in 2009, when the arrival of Bordeaux transplant Jacques Poulain, the former head winemaker at Domaine Ouled Thaled, took the reins of this historic estate’s revival. This full-bodied cabernet sauvignon/marselan blend is a great representation of the bold, spicy wines produced in the region. Made from organically farmed grapes, it bursts with robust red and black berries and layers of earthy spice. If Bordeaux took a vacation to soak up some sun, it might taste like this! Organically grown.