Blend: 80% Mourvèdre with Syrah and Grenache
93 Points Wine Advocate
Altogether the most serious of the three vintages tasted on this occasion, the 2019 Bandol is a particularly rich, dense effort. Black cherries, plum, dark chocolate and anise appear on the nose and full-bodied palate, framed by ripe tannins and culminating in a lengthy finish that's both salty and mouthwatering. A super effort. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.
In the early 1970s, Michel and Louis Bronzo acquired the property of Bastide Blanche in Sainte-Anne du Castellet in the Bandol appellation. Their goal was to produce wines equal to those of more famous appellations like Châteauneuf. Their painstaking efforts were rewarded in 1993 when conditions created this benchmark year that put Bandol in general - and Bastide Blanche in particular - amongst the constellation of top producers in France. Bastide Blanche has been certified organic since 2012. As is required of Bandol producers, all grapes are harvested by hand. This practice makes it possible to finely sort the bunches during harvest and to protect the fruit until it reaches the cellar. The family expanded their holdings to include Ch. de Castillon and Domaine Baumelles - both in Bandol near Bastide Blanche. Common to the success of all holdings are very low yields - never more than 34 or 35 Hl/Ha - and optimal cellar conditions. Bastide Blanche offers a full range of wines that truly reflect the diversity of the Bandol terroirs.
