Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A super effort, Pradeaux's 2016 Bandol is the typical estate blend of 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache, aged in foudres. Hints of mossy, tree-bark complexity and even a bit of truffle are beginning to emerge on the nose, joined by scents of cherries and plums, while the rich, full-bodied palate is framed by softening, fine-grained tannins that linger elegantly on the long finish.
Full of ripe fruit, and robust, earthy goodness, Mourvèdre is actually of Spanish provenance, where it still goes by the name Monastrell or Mataro. It is better associated however, with the Red Blends of the Rhône, namely Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Mourvèdre shines on its own in Bandol and is popular both as a single varietal wine in blends in the New World regions of Australia, California and Washington. Somm Secret—While Mourvèdre has been in California for many years, it didn’t gain momentum until the 1980s when a group of California winemakers inspired by the wines of the Rhône Valley finally began to renew a focus on it.
Provence’s leader in concentrated and age-worthy red wines, Bandol is home to the dense, deep and earthy Mourvèdre grape. Like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Bandol produces characterful reds that, while approachable in their youth, are typically designed for the cellar.
Given its coastal, Provencal situation, Bandol also naturally produces an assortment of charming, aromatic rosés made of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault.