Domaine le Galantin Bandol Rouge 1998

The tiny appellation of Bandol is located directly on the Mediterranean coast, just east of Marseilles, where the finest red wines of the French Riviera are produced. Only 4,000 cases of red Bandol is produced annually from their organically tended, terraced vineyards. Celine Pascale has taken a few years ago the winemaking reins from her father Achille, who started the winery. This development has brought about significant changes in the physical plant and the winemaking practices, bringing greater focus and clarity to the wines. Today, Domaine le Galantin cultivates 35 hectares in the Plan du Castellet.

The ancient steep vineyards of Bandol - first planted by Phocaean Greeks c.600BC - are the perfect home of Mourvedre, and here the grape produces wines which can age at least three decades. As at le Galantin, the best vineyards are planted on poor clay and sandy soil on old terraces, known locally as restanques. The appellations's 1400 hectares of largely south facing vineyards get an extraordinary 3,000 hours of sun a year, but the heat is tempered by constant wind and also humidity from the sea.