La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé
Tasting Note
Notes of tangy strawberries, blood orange zest, and herbs de Provence dominate this savory, lip-smacking wine. Blend: 72% Mourvèdre, 17% Cinsault, and 11% Grenache.
Why We Love This Rosé
This Mourvèdre-dominant rosé is produced at the hands of one of Provence’s long-standing benchmark estates. All grapes are hand-harvested and come from organically farmed vines. 
Although delicious now, this bottle is also an excellent candidate for laying down in the cellar. Yes, well-made rosé can most definitely age! Snag two (one for now, one for later) and see for yourself!
Region/Appellation - Bandol
Bandol is a coastal village located in the heart of France’s southerly Provence region. Its eponymous wine appellation spans approximately 1,550 hectares of vines, most of which lay scattered around the small seaside town itself. Bandol wines are produced in red, white, and rosé format, though the region is best known for its powerhouse red and ageworthy rosé productions. These wines tend to have high percentages of Mourvèdre, as the appellation requires that this variety comprise at least 50% of the blend (reds). Mourvèdre thrives in Bandol’s Mediterranean climate, which is marked by sun-soaked days and cooler evenings. Rosés from Bandol account for about one-third of the region’s total production. Because of their (usually) high percentages of Mourvèdre, these rosés are rather savory, food-friendly, and cellar-worthy -- seriously, we’re talking decades in the cellar! These bottles are no joke.
About the Winemaker
The duo also owns Château de Castillon and Domaine Baumelles, two neighboring Bandol-based properties. Over the years, these properties have joined together under one oversight, though the wines continue to be bottled and sold separately for the sake of unique terroir representation. La Bastide Blanche is located in St. Anne de Castellet, a village in Bandol known for its limestone-rich soils and exceptionally sunny days. These conditions work together to create the ideal growing situation for cultivating ripe and savory Mourvèdre, which is regarded as the backbone of Bandol wines.
Serving Situation
The high Mourvèdre content in this rosé gives the wine some serious oomph. While definitely okay to sip solo, we recommend pairing this bottle with pasta primavera, cooked shellfish, or a serious cheese/charcuterie spread. 