Château Pradeaux - Bandol rosé 2024

As the ninth generation of this estate, founded in 1752, Etienne Portalis is far from resting on the laurels that such a property might offer. It has it all: Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, some twenty hectares of limestone-based soil and red earth, a mild and temperate microclimate, extensive work undertaken on the vines and in the cellar, and—as with the very best—aged oak barrels that lend the wines a silky texture and refine them for very long aging.

The château, owned by the Portalis family since 1752, is currently managed by Cyrille, who carries on the family tradition. The next generation is taking over, with Edouard—who is already working alongside his father—and Etienne. The advanced age of the vines (over 35 years old, on average) and the low yields produce wines that, although they require time to develop, are often on par with the greatest wines. Unforgiving and harsh in their youth—the grapes are not destemmed during harvest—they often become splendid and of great character after 15 or 20 years of aging. A second wine, Le Lys, is now offered by the estate.

I must admit that I’ve always had a soft spot for Pradeaux rosé, and the 2024 Bandol Rosé is no exception. Opening up in the glass with notes of red berries, spices, spring flowers, and apricots, it offers a medium-bodied to full-bodied profile that is complex and elegant, with a juicy, fresh, and fruity core and moderate tannins that culminate in a mineral, slightly minty, and airy finish. It is a beautifully crafted rosé that continues to embody Pradeaux’s distinctive and timeless charm.

The 2024 rosé, just as juicy and complex, is more widely appealing. It also lives up to its reputation as a great Provençal wine.

Château Pradeaux, in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, is a landmark of the appellation. The Portalis family has owned the estate since 1752. As a worthy heir to the estate, Étienne has been steering the wines toward greater finesse and tension since his arrival in 2010, championing a traditional and timeless vision of Bandol reds. Discerning wine lovers undoubtedly have extraordinary memories of these wines’ character and aging potential. Although they are difficult to define in their youth, their potential lies dormant. If one takes the risk of comparing them to the new generation of Bandol wines, produced by estates such as Tempier or La Bégude, Pradeaux’s wines may seem to fall short of these more modern, vibrant cuvées, which are easier to enjoy in their youth. However, far from any trend toward flattery, Pradeaux remains as it has always been: a very classic red, seeking to reach its full potential over time, enhancing its power and uniqueness through whole-cluster vinification (extremely rare in Bandol) and very long aging (up to 48 months) in old casks ranging from 40 to 80 years old! Keep cellaring them for at least ten years—they’ll never cease to surprise you. The density, elegance, and depth of the latest vintages of the reds evoke an incomparable emotion. The estate has been certified organic since 2023.