Lunch 🥪
K&L notes as follows, Grand Pontet is an interesting property, positioned in the neighborhood of other stars of the appellation such as Châteaux Canon, Beau-Séjour-Bécot and Clos Fourtet. It is, however, a small estate, a mere 14 hectares, and its prices are much better than some of its more prestigious neighbors. In 1980 it was purchased by Gerard and Dominique Bécot, owners of the neighboring Beau-Séjour-Bécot. They have applied the same high standards to both Châteaux in their possession, and their winemaking team crafts Grand Pontet alongside the Beau-Séjour-Bécot wines. Recently purchased in 2021 by Domaines Clarence Dillon (Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion, et al.), the property was combined with and incorporated into Château Quintus. Full-bodied and luscious, this Grand Pontet is laden with ripe blackberry fruits, savory tobacco, licorice notes, and ripe, softened tannins. It’s seamless and bold, not shy. It’s going to require something decadent to pair with, such as filet mignon or some other black-tie dish with plenty of flavor and rich umami presence. — 2 years ago
Perfect Hermitage — 3 years ago
Good easy drink — 2 years ago
Lovely! Had it blind and couldn’t pin it, which makes sense because I almost never drink marsanne. Just ripe white peach, bright acidity, some floral notes and really good oxidative notes which to me came across as salinity more than nuttiness, a bit like fino sherry. Great wine! — 3 years ago
Châteaux Pradeaux is located in Bandol AOC, of Provence, France, near the magnificent coastal town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mer, situated on the Mediterranean Sea. I imagine there are breathtaking views of the azure waters from the vineyards and estate of Château Pradeaux. 🌊
Generations of the Portalis family have produced wines from this estate dating back to 1752. The land has seen devastation such as the French Revolution, Phylloxera, and World War II, and yet today it remains strong, carrying forward the family traditions, thanks to the fortitude, will, and courage of the Portalis family. 💪
👁 It is medium ruby with garnet rim variation. It has a subtle haze, perhaps because this wine was not fined nor filtered.
👃 On the nose this wine has a baked, black fruit quality, with notes of blackberry, plum, and black cherry 🍒 ; also notes of dried lavender, anise, clove, cedar, nutmeg, tobacco, leather, peat moss, meat, and barnyard.
👄 On the palate, this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium(+) intensity in flavors that are consistent with the nose.
The grapes were not destemmed in the winemaking process, which has undoubtedly contributed to the strong and grippy tannins experienced in the glass. This wine benefits from decanting and could also benefit from more time in the bottle. 👍
In sum, this wine tells a story of commitment, perseverance, and respect for the land from which it’s cultivated. It’s made with minimal intervention and has 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache. 📚
Château Pradeaux, Bandol Rouge, 2014, ABV 13%. — 3 years ago
Ripe black fruit dominates, finish is peppery and tarry. Medium bodied but luscious feel. Very nice — 7 months ago
this full body complex soft tannine easy going beauty comes like a wishful bomb of gentleness. a little like châteaux neuf du pape but different. I recommend, especially for its price of 14€ — a year ago
High tone nose with a touch of va/ acetone. Translucent and almost no sediment in the bottle.. really old school a la Bel Air-Marquis D’Aligre. Palate is electric, very classically structured and fresh as a daisy. Nose takes a day to start showing floral and fruit notes and classic st Julien character. Very good, almost great; the aromatics never really soar. Bought at the domaine; Jaugaret is an organic and small production family winery (surrounded by mega châteaux). — 3 years ago
Makoto Someya
Ruby. Oak, vanilla, black currant. Tannic. Later on, turned into smooth with cosmetic. Elegant! Is that Hermitage? Enough decanting is necessary to enjoy the real taste. 18 @11440, AD, 240509 — 12 days ago