| | | There is the appellation of Bandol with its plethora of producers, some good, some mediocre; and then there is Château Pradeaux, the unique, inimitable, standard-bearer for this ancient wine-growing district. Etienne Portalis is the 14th successive generation winemaker that is maintaining the uniquely old-school position Pradeaux holds within the appellation. This includes making a more serious, structured and age-able Rosé. To that end, the 2016 Bandol Rosé is certainly an impressive effort. 2016 ended up bearing very high-quality fruit, but yields were down almost 40%, and so, unfortunately, there’s far less rosé to be had than usual. Produced from 75% Mourvedre and 25% Cinsault, via direct-press with no maceration and a bit of lees aging, it offers a rich, evocative nose of violets, blueberries, and sea salt. The palate is full and powerful, with plenty of acidity and a mineral-drenched, gently tannic finish. |
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2016 Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rosé $32 bottle
Although the major part of the vineyards is planted to Mourvèdre, the Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé is composed of Cinsault as well as Mourvèdre. After a short maceration on the skins, in order to extract a light color, the juice is fermented at low temperatures to retain freshness, fruit and bouquet. After being aged in cement cuves, the wine is normally bottled in late spring of the year following the harvest. It is one of the richest of the rosés of France, dry but full-bodied with a floral bouquet.
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