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The vineyards that comprise this wine were, in fact, classified as Bandol AOC as recently as 2012, and this newly-labelled wine clearly distinguishes itself from among the vast ocean of Côtes de Provence rosé by virtue of its terroir’s unique pedigree
Farming: Organic
Variety: Mourvèdre (75%), Cinsault (15%), Grenache (10%)
Winemaker: Etienne Portalis
Terroir: 1.5 ha of south-facing sloped vines declassified from AOC Bandol in 2013
Vinification: All grapes are harvested by hand. Spontaneous Fermentation in concrete tanks that lasts approximately two weeks.
Aging: 6 months in concrete
Tasting Notes: A core of sappy, glycerol red-cherry fruit anchors a firm, punchy minerality in Pradeaux's Côtes de Provence rosé, and the finish is remarkably persistent.
The Château Pradeaux is situated on the outskirts of the town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mer that lies directly on the Mediterranean Ocean between Toulon and Marseilles. The estate has been in the hands of the Portalis family since before the French Revolution. The domaine is currently under the direction of Cyrille Portalis, the sole direct descendant of Suzanne and Arlette. He continues to maintain the great traditions of this estate and is assisted by his wife, Magali, and now his two sons, Etienne and Edouard.
From our July 2022 Club notes:
Château Pradeaux | Côtes de Provence Rosé | Provence, France | 2021
The appellation of Bandol is essentially ancient, having been planted to wine grapes around 500 BCE when the Phocaens landed on these sunny Mediterranean shores. While much of the southern French Riviera is lauded for Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, the intensely brooding Mourvedré reigns supreme in Bandol. The chewy, herbal grape, originally native to Spain, produces some of France’s most age-worthy and meaty red wines, more suited for sweater weather. But when the sunshine hits hard, Bandol rosé beckons the bathing suit! Fresh, herbal, and salty, these wines are summer in a bottle.
Sadly, the price of Bandol rosé is now sometimes the most expensive summer wine on the market. While some producers have leaned hard into pricing at the top of the scale, the legendary Château Pradeaux has expanded its production to include a rosé from declassified Bandol AOP vines. In 2012, the appellation redrew its boundaries and Pradeaux lost one of their twenty-four hectares to redistricting. Rather than sell the fruit off, they decided to use their newly inherited Côtes de Provence vines to produce this more price-friendly rosé to supplement their top-tier, collectible Bandols.
Made from a blend of Mourvèdre (75%), Cinsault (15%), and Grenache (10%) from the intensely limestone-rich soils of Bandol, this bottle allows us to enjoy the marvelously seductive qualities of Bandol rose without buyer’s remorse. Pairs best with heirloom tomatoes, briny anchovies, sunshine, and straw hats. —Simi Grewal