Domaine La Suffrene Bandol Blanc
“This white wine is the hidden treasure from the harbor town…” – The Story of My Wine
50/50 blend of Clairette and Ugni Blanc. The Clairette underwent cold maceration in the Ugni Blanc with skin contact for added complexity. Offering fragrant stone fruit and floral tones, this wine bursts with flavors of apricot, peach, and butter. Minerals, white flowers, and citrus lead into a long, thirst-quenching finish.
The family behind La Suffrene has made wine for generations and are proud to say that their progenitor, the 95-year-old Mr. Piche, has worked with Bandol’s strict standards since the region was officially demarcated in 1941. He is very much considered one of the godfathers of winemaking in Bandol and with over 80 years of experience, it’s no wonder they’re one of the best in the business. His grandson Cedric Gravier assumed the helm in the late 1990s, leaving the cooperative they’d always belonged to and cultivating a truly modern winery that’s ready for the challenges of the 21st century while relying on ancient vines and traditional terroir. Accounting for climate change, they began adopting eco-friendly viticultural practices about 15 to 20 years ago. In 2019, they achieved a prestigious HEV 3 rating for high levels of sustainability in French winemaking. In 2021, they went a step further and received highly coveted organic certification.
“Finally the white wines, rare but delicious. 5% of la Suffrene’s production is white, not much, but maybe it will be more in the future. People are getting more and more interested in white Bandol…” – Forbes.