Leon Stolarski Fine Wines Chateau Pradeaux - Bandol

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Online Wine Shop > Wines by grower - alphabetical > Chateau Pradeaux - Bandol

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Chateau Pradeaux

Château Pradeaux

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We first visited Chateau Pradeaux in 2007 and were mightily impressed, both with the wines and with the estate itself. Since that visit, Pradeaux had featured very high on the list of growers I wanted to have in our portfolio. And finally, here they are. Chateau Pradeaux is one of the oldest and most traditional wine estates in Bandol (which is itself one of the oldest appellations in France) and has been in the ownership of the Portalis family for many generations. The wines here are for the purist, rather than the modernist – and made from virtually all Mourvedre (for the reds, especially). The grapes are not de-stemmed and the wine is aged in large, very old oak foudres, rather than newer barrels. So if you are looking for modern, oaky fruit bombs, you are looking in the wrong place. For these are sturdy wines, offering a combination of power and elegance and a strong tannic backbone – wines to age and to be enjoyed with food. The rosé is quite simply world class – and is also capable of ageing for up to 10 years.

Chateau Pradeaux 2001 Bandol
Chateau Pradeaux 2001 table

Vintage	2001
Region	Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, between Marseilles and Toulon
Colour/Style	Dry red, full bodied. Aged 4 years in old oak foudres
Grapes	95% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.5%
Food	Game, beef, lamb, mushroom risotto
Next day	Best consumed on the night
Drink	Can be drunk now, but will evolve and soften for 15+ years
A medium-dark blood red core, leading to a slightly amber/orange rim, with all sorts of shades in-between. Despite its 14.5% abv, it is relatively light in texture. The nose is initially a little dumb and monolithic, but it then begins to open up and become much more expressive, with notes of black cherry and bramble, dark chocolate, cedar, tobacco and undergrowth. There are also some nice herby notes, particularly oregano and thyme, and a warming whiff of eau de vie. The palate has flavours of bramble fruits and christmas cake, with background notes of chocolate and red meat, herbs and spice. It is full of richness and fruit, but possesses ample acidity and a healthy backbone of ripe tannin. This is a wine which can be enjoyed now, as long as it is accompanied by a rich, meaty dish, but will reward cellaring for another 5 to 10 years. Bordeaux meets Chateauneuf, perhaps? A potentially great wine, from a great vintage.

Price: £26.50 (Including: VAT at 17.5%)

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Chateau Pradeaux 2004 Bandol
Chateau Pradeaux 2004 table

Vintage	2004
Region	Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, between Marseilles and Toulon
Colour/Style	Dry red, full bodied. Aged 4 years in old oak foudres
Grapes	95% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.5%
Food	Game, beef, lamb, mushroom risotto
Next day	Best consumed on the night
Drink	Can be drunk now, but will evolve and soften for 15+ years
This one is from a more typical vintage than the 2001. Deepish blood red in colour, semi-transluscent. On opening, there is a whiff of farmyard, which quickly dissipates to reveal some quite Chateauneuf-like aromas of red and black fruits, garrigue herbs and red meat. Along with further notes of undergrowth, crystallised fruits, vanilla, sandalwood and leather, this is pretty complex and alluring stuff. The palate is packed full of fruit, although - having been bottled only in 2009 after over four years in large (old) oak foudres, the tannins are still quite prominent. This is countered by a herby, mineral quality and fabulous acidity. In other words, a beautifully balanced and fresh wine. Again, this can be drunk now, but needs hearty food. This is excellent, traditional Bandol which needs time to really show its best, but will be perfect after a further 5 to 15 years of ageing.

Price: £19.95 (Including: VAT at 17.5%)

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Chateau Pradeaux Rosé 2008 Bandol
Chateau Pradeaux Rosé 2008 table

Vintage	2008
Region	Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, between Marseilles and Toulon
Colour/Style	Dry rosé - medium-full bodied
Grapes	55% Mourvedre, 45% Cinsault
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.5%
Food	Light meat or fish dishes, game, sautéed vegetable dishes
Next day	Still excellent
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 8 years
This rosé has the most exquisite onion skin/blood orange colour – really beautiful to look at. It is a vin de pressurage, meaning that it is made from a direct pressing of the grapes, rather than the usual saignée (free-run juice) method. The nose has aromas of wild strawberries, orange zest, apples and rose petals, with forest floor, hedgerow and garrigue notes lurking in the background. A hint of pear drops falls away with some air, to be replaced by a nice creaminess, and the aromas begin to meld together into a beautifully clean, complex whole. The palate offers a combination of ripe red fruits and zesty orange and lemon, with a decent amount of acidity and what I can only describe as a minerally, almost tannic backbone, which adds grip and texture. It develops even further after a period of several hours in the decanter, with the aromas and flavours becoming more integrated and intense. Nevertheless, this is a wine that tends towards elegance, rather than power, yet it has a very impressive finish - those tangy, zesty, herby, almost spicy flavours linger for a very long time on the palate. One of the world's great rosés.

Price: £15.50 (Including: VAT at 17.5%)

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Minimum order value, delivery charges and times

The minimum order value is £50 (plus the delivery charge). You may of course choose a mix of any wines in our range. Orders between £50 and £175: delivery charge is £6. Orders over £175: delivery is free! (If your order is over £175, please remember to change the delivery charge in checkout to £0.00). Please note: Delivery to non-mainland addresses (Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, etc.) is usually possible, but may not be on a next-working-day basis. It is also more expensive than delivery to mainland addresses, so will be charged at cost (for orders under £175) but with a small discount for orders over £175 - please call us for a quote.

Warning - you must be aged 18 or over

It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol if you are under the age of 18. (Section 149 Licensing Act 2003). We reserve the right to seek proof of age. Leon Stolarski says "drink less, but drink better!" Please consume alcohol in moderation.