2019 La Bastide Blanche Rouge Bandol

Winemaker Notes: Red wine. Provence, France. Organic. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsualt, Syrah, Carignan. Gives up classic leather, garrigue, underbrush and sweet black raspberry notes on the nose. Medium-bodied, supple, sexy and with fine tannin, it’s a forward, ready to go beauty to drink over the coming 5-7 years.

Madeline Triffon, M.S. Notes: Beautiful, big, Provencal RED! The concentration of flavor and heft both speak to old vines, impeccably tended with very low yields, and deft wine-making. This generous, rich wine reflects the character of Mourvèdre, 80% of blend, with Syrah and Grenache included. The nose is so upfront and attractive, with very ripe plummy fruit, dried herbs, black licorice and wood tones. The palate follows, packed with flavor and a little hard – this wine can use some cellar time! But will do a seriously fine job at the table right now.

Within the region of Provence, the seaside town of Bandol enjoys an ideal southern location and is better known for its rich rosés, widely distributed. La Bastide Blanche is a leader in the region, well-established in the 1970’s before the appellation took off in the public eye.

(reliable background info, and picture) https://www.finevines.com/portfolio/producer/bastide-blanche

In the early '70s Michel and Louis Bronzo (the latter on the board of the INAO) acquired the property of the Bastide Blanche, with an eye to producing from appellation Bandol wines the equal of more famous appellations like Chateauneuf. Their painstaking efforts were rewarded in 1993 when vintage conditions created the benchmark year to put Bandol in general and Bastide-Blanche, in particular, on the map of top producers in France. They have various cuvees, depending on the vintage, but always about 75% Mourvedre as a minimum, up to 100% Mourvedre for the Cuvee Fontanieu from a parcel of that name near the Mediterranean. Also, common each year to their success are their very low yields, never more than 34 or 35 hl/ha, and simply impeccable cellar conditions and attention. This shows in the pure, well-delineated fruit, that has become a hallmark of Bastide-Blanche. They also make a delightful Rose, from predominantly Mourvedre, with Grenache and Cinsault.