Domaine la Suffrene, Bandol Rosé 2020

A gorgeous, flavor-packed , distinguished rosé that’s fit for any season and mood, especially summer!

This beauty comes to us by way of Bandol, a tiny pocket of Provence in southern France known for its red and white wines in addition to rosé. By law, wines from the Bandol must be hand-picked, a clear sign of the dedication and pride inherent throughout. The total land devoted to vines in Bandol is but a small fraction of the larger encompassing Provence region. 

Domaine la Suffrene’s 2020 rosé is a classic blend of mostly Mourvèdre (40%), followed by Cinsault (30%), Grenache (20%), Carignan (10%). The estate’s magnesium rich soils impart a clear sense of terroir and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel to preserve maximum aroma and freshness. The result is a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Fresh, fragrant, and even a bit chewy, the wine shows an exotic nose of rose petal-potpourri, pink raspberry, white peach, lemon blossom, and crushed rocks.

A bit more “deep” in color than a typical Provençal rosé, it exhibits a broad and floral-inflected palate that offers a bit more substance while preserving all the nuance and subtlety of the best of its peers, like the famed Domaine Tempier, whose Bandol rosés trade for $50+. You can pick this beauty up for an easy $28 for drinking pleasure all year long. Cheers!