Terrebrune, Rosé Bandol, Provence, France 2016

50% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 25% Cinsault.

The wine is a blend of 50% direct-press rosé (fruit is destemmed, gently pressed, and the skins immediately removed) and 50% saignée (wine "bled off" during the early stages of a red-wine fermentation). The wine then spends about 6-8 months in used French oak barrels, an unusual move for rosé that contributes to its uncommon depth and complexity.

Terrebrune’s Bandol epitomizes the idea of a terroir-driven rosé, from the nose of thyme and white peach, redolent of a Provençal summer, to its mouthwateringly salty finish, a reminder that the sea is just a stone’s throw away. Accordingly, this 2020 is characterized by tangy, salty minerals underlying beautiful citrus and herbal notes.

Vigneron Reynald Delille is never shy to point out the aging potential of his rosé, often pulling out twenty-year-old bottles in pristine condition to prove his point. In its youth, its brightness makes it a great companion to seafood in their most basic form. With age, it picks up weight and develops deeper aromatics, allowing it to stand up to richer dishes.

The leanest and driest of Bandol rosés, it features a distinct herbal note that shines with food. Paired with grilled steelhead trout, roasted green beans, and buttery steamed carrots would be pure bliss.