2017 Chateau Pradeaux, Bandol Rosé, Provence, France.
The 2017 Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rosé is a powerful wine and one that demands your attention, this amazing effort really gives Domaine Tempier something to think about! At almost $18 less a bottle than Tempier, this Cinsault and Mourvedre based Pradeaux Rosé is a a savvy choice for enthusiasts. Château Pradeaux, a historic estate and provence legend, is located near the town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mer that is right on the beautiful azure Mediterranean between Toulon and Marseilles, it has been in the hands of the Portalis family since before the French Revolution, now run by Cyrille Portalis and with his sons Etienne and Edouard. I met with Etienne recently, he’s the new face behind these wines and his wines are all showing great, especially this 2017 Rosé, it’s surprisingly dense and full, but with crisp intensity, it’s a pink with a huge palate impact. Pradeaux uses Cinsault (50%) and Mourvèdre (50%) in their cement vat fermented Rosé, it is vinified via direct pressing for 24 hours, and is a non malo wine, with the wine aging about 6 months before bottling. The 2017 has a bright pink and orange hue in the glass and delvers a hedonistic mouth feel, it’s a bold wine, and at 14% it’s heady too, best to enjoy it with a full meal, it’s not a light and fruity style at all, this is mouth filling stuff, even though it’s chilled coolness is refreshing and it has a brisk presence in the glass with a nice balance between opulent (ripeness) and savory tones with a nice mineral and stony steak. There are layers of tart cherry, watermelon, strawberry and a cut of tangy/zesty citrus, wet chalk and rosewater as well as a snappy lavender note. The reds here are traditional Bandol with gripping tannins and leathery notes, but I love the layers and depth, and as I have mentioned in my prior reviews this is a label that offers exceptional wines, and while imported by Rosenthal, Pradeaux remains slightly under the radar, so the prices are more than reasonable for the quality, and a great way to explore them is to start with this wildly good dry Rosé, it will almost make your whole summer!
($29 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
