Château Pradeaux - Le Lys 2010

A well-structured Bandol, slightly closed, with good structure, freshness, balance, and finesse.

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 nose of the estate’s second wine is very smooth, with notes of blackcurrant and a hint of leather. This smoothness is somewhat deceptive, because after the spicy black fruit coats the palate with the same effect, a tannic bite gives it quite a sharp character on the finish.

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.

Elegant, the second wine, Le Lys, is well-structured, with pronounced tannins and aromas that develop into notes of morello cherry.

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.

Mourvèdre dominates Cinsault in this beautiful red wine, which is floral, light, and boasts superb aromatic freshness. This is due to the use of whole clusters during winemaking, which imparts great vibrancy, finesse, and a tension that gives the wine a long finish.