“After a magnificent series of Favorites ,’ Suffrène returns to the appellation’s fundamentals with this superlative red. And superlatives were certainly not in short supply during the tasting: ‘precise,’ ‘modern,’ ‘impressive’... Behind an intense ruby color lies a delicious bouquet of ripe black and red fruits (wild strawberries, morello cherries, blackberries), toasted hazelnut, and leather, set against a slightly spicy backdrop. Supple on the attack, then full-bodied and silky, structured by fine tannins, the palate unfolds with a creamy texture brimming with ripe fruit that blends perfectly with the oak. Striking the perfect balance between power and delicacy.” (Le Guide Hachette 2022)
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Eye
Deep color with purple highlights
Nose
Delicate, rich, and complex, with notes of spices, Mediterranean scrub, and a hint of mint
Palate
Powerful with plenty of character, a dense tannic structure, firm, ripe tannins, and a fresh, long finish
Serve
At 18°C
Open
1 hour in advance in a carafe
Drink before
2030+
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy it with grilled meats (Provençal-style lamb, beef) or in sauces (stew, civet), truffle-based dishes…
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2021 guide): 3 stars (High-quality production, setting the standard in its sector)
About the estate:
The affable Cédric Gravier has been managing this family-owned estate since 1996 with great open-mindedness and an innate sense of hospitality. With him came a major change: the grapes, which had previously been delivered to the cooperative, would now be vinified on the estate. This revival was made possible in large part thanks to his grandfather, who knew every vine by heart. Today, the estate spans nearly 60 hectares, and in 2017, Cédric began the transition to organic farming. Located in the western part of the appellation, on soil that is predominantly clay-limestone, the estate’s diverse array of plots ensures a rich expression of Mourvèdre, Bandol’s flagship grape variety, with old vines accounting for 90% of the vineyard here.
Guide Hachette des vins
Wine noted (guide 2022) 2* Favorite (Remarkable wine)
Rated estate (2023 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer’s wines regularly receive awards from the guide)
About the wine:
After a magnificent series of standout rosés, Suffrène returns to the appellation’s fundamentals with this superlative red. And superlatives were certainly not in short supply during the tasting: “precise,” “modern,” “impressive”... Behind an intense ruby color lies a delicious bouquet of ripe black and red fruits (wild strawberries, morello cherries, blackberries), toasted hazelnuts, and leather, all set against a slightly spicy backdrop. Supple on the palate at first, then full-bodied and silky, structured by fine tannins, the wine unfolds with a creamy texture brimming with ripe fruit that blends perfectly with the oak. Striking a balance between power and delicacy, it is perfectly balanced.
About the estate:
It is in the hamlet of La Suffrène—said to have once been the home of a mistress of the Bailiff of Suffren—that part of the vineyards of this must-visit estate in the Bandol appellation are located. A 60-hectare family-owned vineyard, divided into about a hundred plots, whose grapes were taken to the cooperative until the arrival of Cédric Gravier, who took over from his grandparents in 1996. In the process of converting to organic farming.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2023 guide) Selected (Please note that this guide is a ranking, and as such, all the estates listed here—even those without a star—represent, in our view, the pinnacle of French winemaking.)
About the estate:
For many years, the Gravier-Piche family brought the fruit of their labor to the cooperative winery. When Cédric Gravier returned to the family estate in 1996, he decided to make his own wines and bottle the expression of old Mourvèdre vines, primarily from La Cadière d’Azur. Over the years, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to vinify the entire 58 hectares. Characterized more by strawberry flavors than citrus, the rosés are rich in both color and concentration. The richness and full-bodied texture of these early-ripening terroirs are evident in the dense reds, with their alluring tannins, reflecting the soft, clay-rich character of the soil. A classic that appeals to all, yet has not lost its Mediterranean soul.