Visiting Chateau Pradeaux in July, 2013

What a beautiful place! We were four, went there by appointment. Taking a walk around the Chateau is fascinating, old olive trees, Mourvedre parcells everywhere. The wines did not disappoint too, though I had had some Pradeaux earlier so knew what to expect. Really well made stuff from rose to red, without a hint of "modern" influence - the wines are bone dry and moderated in alcohol, usually having 13.5%. The newer red in the lineup, "Le Lys" is meant to be an approachable, more modern wine, but still not sweet or coffeed, has the classic style of the Chateau. Wines and visiting highly recommended!

• 2012 Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé 87 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Pale color. Nose is delicate, with peach and apricot notes. Round, fuller than most Provence rosés, but far from heavy. Nice.

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• 2010 Château Pradeaux Bandol Le Lys 90 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  What a beautiful wine! So charming, traditional style, no excess here, everything is in harmony. Earthy, spicy nose without oak. Medium to full bodied but not heavy, perfect acidity, highish, nice tannins. So pure, so classic, old school Bandol in the best sense. A bit like a traditional brunello with more acidity. I love it.

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• 2011 Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé 88 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Lost it's primary aromas the 2012 still has at this point, more vinous. Cranberry and rosehip nose. Perfect balance, round, smooth, zesty. As good as a nice white wine. Top rosé.

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• 2008 Château Pradeaux Bandol 91 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Spice and leather (but not bretty) in the forefront, some red and dark berries. Pure and clean. Perfect, integrated acidity, elegant medium body. Bone dry, with firm, classic Mourvedre tannins. Elegant like a Bordeaux, but this is not oaky. Charming, lovely, put into the cellar for some years. ABV 13.5%.

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• 2007 Château Pradeaux Bandol 90 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Warm year, higher alcohol (14.5%), maybe faster developing. I prefer the 2008. Some tobacco and licorice, plums, dried plums on the nose, smells serious. Already started a bit to mellow on the palate, full, acidity OK, maybe more tannic than the 2008.

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• 2012 Château Pradeaux Bandol

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Tasted from barrel. Amazing, how much fresh purple fruits the otherwise not too fruity Mourvedre can show. So purple like a Blaufrankisch/Kékfrankos at this stage. Elegant, velvety taste but extremely tannic at the moment. Should become just as good as usual.

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• 2004 Château Pradeaux Bandol 90 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Pradeaux is not a modern styled wine, but this 2004 which was made by Cyrille Portalis seems even more traditional. Ligther color, nose showes some evolution, but not mature. Almost Burgundy-like, with red berries and tobacco. Far from being extracted, loosely knit texture, red fruits in the taste as well. Feels having low alcohol, it's leaner, with old school styled, rustic, coarse, never resolving tannins. Rather charming than truly outstanding, if anything, this resembles to a traditional Brunello. Will live long.

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