Bandol Château Pradeaux Famille Portalis 2018

Lot presentation

Bandol Château Pradeaux Famille Portalis 2018

The wine

The Mourvèdre and Cinsault vines made to produce the famous Bandol face the sea and grow in clay-chalk terroir. Whilst the château is now in the process of converting to organics, a particular respect has always been accorded to the environment in the vines and the winery alike. The grapes are harvested by hand and only indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation. After direct pressing, the juice is then matured on lees to give it an extra dimension in terms of aromas and structure. A veritable gastronomic rosé, it has a salmon pink hue and its bouquet gives off notes of white flowers, spices and fresh fruit. The palate hits instantly with a saltiness worthy of the finest Provence rosé. This wine can easily be kept for a few years before being enjoyed. In terms of food pairings, this cuvée can do much more than an aperitif, being perfect to serve with fish or even a lovely meat dish.

About the Producer Château Pradeaux

One of Bandol's top producers, Château Pradeaux has been owned by the Portalis family since 1752. It was on this date that the Comte Jean-Marie-Etienne Portalis inherited the property; he subsequently became a minister under Napoleon and participated in the creation of France's Civil Code. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the Comtesse de Portalis came to live at Château Pradeaux and decided to plant a vineyard at the property, which had previously only grown olives. Her nephew Cyrille Portalis has managed the estate since 1983. Château Pradeaux's vines are planted in clay-limestone soil and gently cooled by the Mediterranean breeze. These conditions are particularly well-suited to Mourvèdre, the predominant grape in the property's grand vin. The vineyard is managed using traditional methods: chemical treatments are kept to a minimum and yields are strictly limited. Harvests are entirely manual and the grapes are not destemmed. After vinification, the wines are matured for at least three years in oak casks.

Detailed characteristics