La Bastide Blanche : Bandol 2024

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Bandol 2024 from La Bastide Blanche

Tasting

Colour
The glass shines with a lovely pale yellow hue, graced with subtle, brilliant golden highlights.

Nose
Remarkably expressive, the aromatic bouquet opens with notes of white flowers and citrus. It then evolves towards aromas of white-fleshed fruit, subtly lifted by hints of fennel and a delicate minerality.

Palate
Full and generous, the palate offers a silky texture, perfectly balanced by a lively, refreshing acidity. It reveals an attractive fruit concentration, stretching into a long, energetic and saline finish.

Food and wine pairings
This great white wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif and is a wonderful match for seafood such as grilled fish, shellfish or scallop carpaccio. Its structure also allows it to enhance mature goat's cheeses.

Serving and cellaring
For optimal enjoyment, this wine is best served at a temperature of between 10 and 12°C. Although already very approachable, it has good ageing potential and can be cellared until around 2029.

The elegance and minerality of a white wine from Bandol

The estate
Located in south-eastern France, La Bastide Blanche is a leading name in its appellation. While the winemaking history of the land goes back further, the estate in its current form was founded in 1973 by the brothers Michel and Louis Bronzo. Today, Julien and Nicolas Bronzo run this family property. Covering almost 47 hectares, the estate stands out for its strong environmental commitment, with certified organic and biodynamic practices aimed at expressing the full complexity of its terroir.

The vineyard
The vineyard flourishes in the commune of Sainte-Anne-du-Castellet, in the heart of the Bandol appellation. The vines are planted on terraces, known as restanques, on hillsides overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This fragmented terroir enjoys a particularly sunny climate swept by the mistral wind, ensuring excellent vine health. The soils are predominantly clay-limestone interspersed with gravelly areas, providing optimal drainage and promoting the ripening of the grapes while preserving lovely freshness. The entire vineyard is farmed according to biodynamic principles, and harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand.

Winemaking and ageing
This white wine is made by direct pressing of the bunches, followed by cold settling. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature to preserve the aromatic freshness of the grape varieties. The wine is aged in vats on fine lees, which brings roundness and complexity while retaining its natural vibrancy.

Grape varieties
Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc.