domaines ott chateau romassan bandol rose 2022 1.5l

Château Romassan is the third estate acquired by the Ott family in 1956, located in the Bandol appellation and lies at the foot of the village of Le Castellet. The soil is poor, composed of limestone, sandstone, and marine upper cretaceous marls. The Bandol appellation is known for its terraced landscapes built from the hard stone with vines, which are planted into vast terraces with varying exposures. The average vine age at Château Romassan is 14 years. The sea air from the bay of Bandol compensates for the terroir's acidity and low rainfall. The winery is located on 148 acres, which are fully devoted to wine production. Cultivation methods are traditional and the soil is mechanically tilled and young shoots are trained with the greatest care to the plant. Domaines Ott wines are certified organic starting with the 2022 vintage.

The grapes are all handpicked and go through a stringent selective grape sorting, followed by an extremely delicate pressing process. Fermentation is done in thermo-regulated vats followed by aging in oak casks for six to eight months.

The blend of this 2022 is 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault, 20% Grenache. Light peach hue with a soft sheen. The nose is richly aromatic and slightly roasted. Notes of grapefruit are followed by those of exotic fruit, lemon and verbena. The full, round palate reveals aromas that are set off by a subtle touch of liquorice emphasizing the character of the wine. The finish is slightly minty and zesty with candied citrus notes.

Wine & Spirits scored this 95 points saying, "In the arms race of bottle shapes and vibrant shades of pink, Jean-François Ott’s wines stand out for their restraint, even in Bandol. This wine channeled the hot, dry summer of 2022 into a silky texture that quietly undergirds a complex strawberry flavor, complete with the leafy tops. This is the first certified-organic vintage from the estate, and the health of the fruit is apparent in the elegance of the wine—lasting with mouthwatering savor, its acidity and tannins cleaning up after themselves like a neurotic houseguest. For me, elegance in rosé is defined by its ability to be simply delicious, but complex and rewarding under scrutiny—a test this wine passes with flying pink colors."

Wine Enthusiast gave this 92 points saying, "This is a rich wine, its Mourvèdre giving concentration and a fine structure. From one of the Ott domaines, it has spice as well as layers of red fruits."

Wine Spectator also scored this 92 points saying, "Boasts a beautiful core of fleshy white fruit and red currant, with mineral density and concentration on the palate. Richly textured and pure, with nice range to the dried hay, fresh chive, citrus pith and jasmine elements. Reveals a bitter quinine note, which brings focus to the long, harmonious finish. Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache. Drink now through 2027."