Bastide Blanche 2019 Bandol Rouge

Michel and Louis Bonzo acquired this estate in 1970 which is situated in St. Anne de Castellet, an area in Bandol with a terroir rich in limestone. This terroir, along with the estate’s desire for maintaining low yields each vintage (never more than 34 or 35 hl/ha), gives structure, balance, and elegance to these wines. Their 2019 Bandol Rouge is a blend of Mourvedre, Grenache, and Cinsault and the nose offers classic Bandol aromas with layers of sappy blackberry fruit, dark cherries, garrigue, citrus balm, roast meat and licorice. With time in the glass, there are succulent aromas of blueberry, vanilla, cinnamon, and a tinge of peppered beef. Chewy, blue-fruited, lush and with sultry tannins on the palate, this wine is at once ripe and juicy yet structured, possessing a tantalizing savory streak with a touch of smoke, black olive and spice.  This wine is a joy to drink now, but can certainly age for 8-10 years.+