Staff Pick

Bandol Rouge, Ch. Pradeaux - 2018

Name: Bandol Rouge, Ch. Pradeaux
Brand: Ch. Pradeaux
SKU: 21624
Price: 42.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Item # 21624 750mL

The appellation of Bandol has a plethora of producers and one of the most revered is Chateau Pradeaux. This estate is the unique, inimitable, standard bearer for this ancient wine-growing district. The wines are built to age for decades in the cellar.

$42.99/ Single Bottle

$515.88 $464.29/ Case of 12

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Color

Red

Vintage

2018

Country

France

Region

Provence

Sub-Region

Bandol

Producer

Ch. Pradeaux

Grape Variety

Carignan

Grenache

Mourvèdre

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Staff Pick Notes

There are wines that need elaborate stories in order to be sold. And then there are wines that sell themselves effortlessly. One taste of this dark, brooding Bandol rouge from Chateau Pradeaux and there really aren't any questions. It's all right there in the glass. Chateau Pradeaux is a benchmark producer for this tiny appellation on Provence's southern coast. Their Bandol rouge is made with a minimum of 95% Mourvèdre (appellation rules require only 50%) from old vines. The grapes are not de-stemmed and the wine ages in large oak foudres. Signature notes of cured meat, tar, slate, tobacco leaf, garrigue, and lavender are all here. The tannins are grippy yet fine like brushed suede. It's an entire world in each taste. Nothing beats a classic like this!

- TD

About the Producer

Sainte Cyr-sur-Mer, Bandol Provence, France There is the appellation of Bandol with its plethora of producers, some good, some mediocre; and then there is Château Pradeaux, the unique, inimitable, standard-bearer for this ancient wine-growing district. The Château Pradeaux is situated on the outskirts of the town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mer that lies directly on the Mediterranean Ocean between Toulon...

Read more about Ch. Pradeaux

Glossary

Grenache

The Grenache grape (a.k.a. Grenache Noir) produces relatively pale, fruity red wines that often stop just short of sweetness. Grenache is familiar to most wine drinkers as an ingredient in the blends of the Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon, where it can add charm to varieties that are a little rougher around the edges. The distinguished Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas appellations are both characterized by significant percentages of Grenache, while in Tavel and Lirac the grape is used to make...

Mourvèdre

Known as Mataro in California and Monastrell in Spain, Mourvèdre can produce bold, tannic, highly alcoholic red wines. They usually show no shortage of fruit as well, and the best examples keep it all in perfect balance. Rhône-style blends are cropping up all over the world, and one of the classic tried-and-true combinations is "GSM," or Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre. The "M" contributes focus and fleshy character to blends - but Mourvèdre also shines on its own as a varietal wine.

Bandol

Arguably the most significant appellation in Provence, Bandol produces spicy, earthy, rich red wines. These tend to be big and well-structured, relying on the Mourvèdre grape for their power. Vines in Bandol are grown in very meager soils of gravel, clay, and limestone: this, combined with the hot, dry coastal climate, gives these thick-skinned berries exactly what they need in order to thrive.

Carignan

Grown all over Europe and the Americas, Carignan (a.k.a. Carignane, Carignano, and Cariñena) is seldom seen as a 100% varietal wine. Many appellations of Languedoc-Roussillon must include a certain percentage of Carignan, but it is rarely the dominant grape in these blends. For years, this naturally high-yielding grape suffered from overproduction, but New World winemakers have lately taken up the Carignan cause and produced some distinctive and delicious examples. Now that it is subject to...

Provence

Provence has some of the best vine-growing territory in the world, with a perfect Mediterranean climate tempered by the cooling effects of the sea. The region produces a broad range of wines, the majority of which pair effortlessly with the light, herb-infused cuisine of Provence. Bandol, arguably the most significant appellation in Provence, produces spicy, earthy, rich red wines. These tend to be big and well-structured, relying on the Mourvèdre grape for their power. Vines in Bandol are...