WTN: A refined and complex pink from Provence

Spurred on by an article, to which TomHill gave a link, suggesting that real Provençal wine is dying under the weight of mediocre pink, I picked up this one from a local supermarket to consume yesterday, the first decently warm day of the year so far. Château Vannières is a well known estate from which I have had much excellent red Bandol, so the dice were loaded in my favour.

2012 Château Vannières Bandol Rosé - France, Provence, Bandol (5/6/2016)
The first sniff was enough to indicate that this pale salmon coloured rosé was much more complex and serious than the average. There were lovely aromas of strawberry and minerals. These together with refined lively acidity continued onto the medium- bodied palate where there were mature fruit and more depth, length and backbone than common for the type. As dessert we had Gariguette strawberries, which I ate without added sugar or cream. I was struck by the similarities of these to the wine though the strawberries' acidity was cruder. A very good and refined rosé. Price c.€11 and I'll go out to get more.

Posted from CellarTracker

I have access to Domaine Sorin so will check out which vintage is here.

Agreed on all counts, Tim.