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2022 Bandol Rosé
Domaine de la Tour du BonAgnès Henry
The myth of “rosé season” has led to throngs of thirsty consumers lining up to buy anything pink sold in a wine bottle as early as April, as well as scores of sad retailers weeping over stagnating case stacks come October. So, as a frustrated wine salesman, I have honorably dedicated fifteen minutes of my life to this here electronic proclamation that not all rosés should be limited to a six-month lifespan.
Take Bandol rosé, for instance: it features a generous portion of Mourvèdre, a grape so sturdy that local merchants in a bygone era were known to load up casks of the wine into the hull of their nautical vessels simply to take it for a spin, hoping the journey would soften its rough edges and render the stuff more drinkable. Sure, times have changed, but it goes to show that a few months’ time in bottle will certainly not be the downfall of wines starring this noble variety.
In fact, the rosé from Domaine de la Tour du Bon has just hit its stride. Aromas of peach, grapefruit, and thyme—reticent just a few months ago—are now blossoming, while it has become utterly delicate and silky on the palate. It has entered its peak drinking window, which will last through next summer, if past vintages are any indicator.
Uncork a bottle with chicories or other winter greens (bonus points for garlicky anchovy dressing, as they would do in Provence) to create irresistible seasonal synergy. You’ll certainly agree that this Bandol’s exceptional ability to pair with anything set down on the table is yet another reason why “rosé season” is simply treason.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | Rosé |
Vintage: | 2022 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 50% Mourvèdre, 32% Cinsault, 10% Grenache, 8% Clairette |
Appellation: | Bandol |
Country: | France |
Region: | Provence |
Producer: | Domaine de la Tour du Bon |
Winemaker: | Agnès Henry |
Vineyard: | 38 year average |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone, Silt, Sandstone |
Aging: | Vinification occurs in stainless steel cuve, Rosé does not go through malolactic fermentation |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2021 Bandol Rouge“La Migoua”
France | Provence
At the domaine's highest-elevation site, Mourvèdre's might is gently enveloped by Grenache and Cinsault to yield a Bandol of great finesse.
2019 Bandol Rouge “Saint Ferréol”
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Soulful and slightly wild, but beautifully balanced, this rouge has an irresistible notes of garrigue.
2020 Bandol Rouge“La Migoua”
France | Provence
At the domaine's highest-elevation site, Mourvèdre's might is gently enveloped by Grenache and Cinsault to yield a Bandol of great finesse.
2020 Bandol Rouge“La Tourtine”
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La Tourtine perhaps best expresses the paradoxical combination of power and elegance that is a trademark of the Domaine's wines.
2020 Bandol Rouge
France | Provence
The 2020 Tour du Bon rouge, with its juicy nose and bright, crunchy fruit, its mouthwatering acidity and peppery verve, is particularly elegant.
2021 Bandol Rouge “Lulu et Lucien”
France | Provence
As Kermit wrote, “there is always something wild and unpredictable about it, spirited, shall we say, yet it is honest and impeccable, full of warmth and finesse.”
2020 Bandol Rouge “Saint Ferréol”
France | Provence
Soulful and slightly wild, but beautifully balanced, this rouge has an irresistible notes of garrigue.
2020 Bandol Rouge “Lulu et Lucien”
France | Provence
With this chewy, fragrant cuvée, something garlicky cooked over coals will do just fine.
2014 Bandol Rouge
France | Provence
The inky purple juice staining your tongue as you wash down a garlicky morsel of rosemary-studded lamb tastes not unlike it did shortly after the grapes were crushed and racked into Alain’s large oak casks.
2022 Bouches-du-Rhône Rosé “Marie de Magdala”
France | Provence
This sandstone amphora-aged rosé spotlights old-vine Grenache grown on limestone terraces with a view of the sparkling Mediterranean.
About The Producer
Domaine de la Tour du Bon
About The Region
Provence
Perhaps there is no region more closely aligned with the history to Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant than Provence. Provence is where Richard Olney, an American ex-pat and friend of Alice Waters, lived, and introduced Kermit to the great producers of Provence, most importantly Domaine Tempier of Bandol. Kermit also spends upwards of half his year at his home in a small town just outside of Bandol.
Vitis vinifera first arrived in France via Provence, landing in the modern day port city of Marseille in the 6th century BC. The influence of terroir on Provençal wines goes well beyond soil types. The herbs from the pervasive scrubland, often referred to as garrigue, as well as the mistral—a cold, drying wind from the northwest that helps keep the vines free of disease—play a significant role in the final quality of the grapes. Two more elements—the seemingly ever-present sun and cooling saline breezes from the Mediterranean—lend their hand in creating a long growing season that result in grapes that are ripe but with good acidity.
Rosé is arguably the most well known type of wine from Provence, but the red wines, particularly from Bandol, possess a great depth of character and ability to age. The white wines of Cassis and Bandol offer complexity and ideal pairings for the sea-influenced cuisine. Mourvèdre reigns king for red grapes, and similar to the Languedoc and Rhône, Grenache, Cinsault, Marsanne, Clairette, Rolle, Ugni Blanc among many other grape varieties are planted.
More from Provence or France
2016 Les Baux de Provence Rouge “Cornaline”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2022 Bouches-du-Rhône Rosé “Marie de Magdala”
Clos Ste Magdeleine France | Provence
2019 Bandol Rouge Magnum
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge “Lulu et Lucien”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2018 Alpilles Rouge “Amethyste”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2019 Bandol Rouge “Saint Ferréol”
Domaine de la Tour du Bon France | Provence
2022 Bandol Blanc
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
Les Baux de Provence Olive Oil “Les Baux”
Moulin Jean-Marie Cornille France | Provence
2021 Cassis Blanc “Bel-Arme”
Clos Ste Magdeleine France | Provence
2018 Bandol Rouge
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2016 Les Baux de Provence Rouge “Cornaline”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2022 Bouches-du-Rhône Rosé “Marie de Magdala”
Clos Ste Magdeleine France | Provence
2019 Bandol Rouge Magnum
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge “Lulu et Lucien”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2018 Alpilles Rouge “Amethyste”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2019 Bandol Rouge “Saint Ferréol”
Domaine de la Tour du Bon France | Provence
2022 Bandol Blanc
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
Les Baux de Provence Olive Oil “Les Baux”
Moulin Jean-Marie Cornille France | Provence
2021 Cassis Blanc “Bel-Arme”
Clos Ste Magdeleine France | Provence
2018 Bandol Rouge
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211
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