Domaine La Suffrène - Bandol rosé 2025

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.

Intriguing with its lovely deep apricot hue and alluring with its aromatic profile—which features prominent spices (cinnamon, ginger) nuanced with bergamot zest—this is a well-balanced, complex, and full-bodied Bandol, enhanced by a light, refreshing effervescence that combines liveliness and elegance.

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 is 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.

Aromas of grapefruit, citrus, herbs, and red berries set the stage for Domaine La Suffrene’s 2023 Bandol Rosé, a medium-bodied, delicate, and juicy rosé with a fresh, mineral finish tinged with iodine. It’s perfect for pairing with summer meals. It is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre and the remainder Cinsault, Grenache, and Carignan.

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 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 a wide audience, yet one that has not sacrificed its Mediterranean soul.