Domaine La Suffrène - Bandol rouge 2022

The friendly 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 like the back of his hand. Today, the estate spans nearly 60 hectares, and Cédric began the transition to organic farming in 2017. 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 variety of expressions from Mourvèdre, Bandol’s flagship grape variety, with old vines accounting for 90% of the vineyard here.

The grapes had to be harvested early in 2022 to prevent them from withering in this dry vintage. The estate appears to have handled the situation perfectly, producing a generous Bandol without any excess. The nose is very inviting, revealing aromas of curry and ripe black fruits, complemented by toasty notes from the oak. On the palate, it delights with its exemplary balance, its velvety texture, its refined, velvety tannins, its perfectly integrated oak, and its lingering finish of cherry pit and gingerbread. Best enjoyed with a festive dish, such as a Tournedos Rossini.

It is in the hamlet of La Suffrène—which is 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 delivered to the cooperative until the arrival of Cédric Gravier, who took over from his grandparents in 1996. Currently in the process of converting to organic farming.

For many years, the Gravier-Piche family brought the fruits 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 unique character 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 universally appealing classic that has not, however, sacrificed its Mediterranean soul.