Domaines Ott

Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards - 2022 Winner

Domaines Ott Château Romassan Bandol Rosé

Bandol, France

Vintage:2023 (Current)

2021 (Past) | 2022 (Past) |

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Domaines Ott Château Romassan Bandol Rosé 2023
  • V 92+
  • WS 92

Reviews

Vinous Media 92+ Points July 2024, Eric Guido

The 2023 Rosé Château Romassan captivates with a bouquet that mixes savory and sweet, as nuances of D'Anjou pear and lime zest combine with spring flowers, ginger and green melon. This is vividly fruit-focused within, with cooling acidity and silken textures, coming across as lifted and refined yet also potent. Its minerality shines through the finish, crisp, nearly crunchy and long with a spicy tinge that pinches at the palate. Complexity and shear depth make the Chateau Romassan impossible to ignore.

Wine Spectator 92 Points May 27, 2024, Kristen Bieler

A reminder of Bandol's superiority when it comes to rosé. Crushed stone minerality grounds this fresh, alluring version, with notes of dried lavender and salted herbs alongside mandarin acidity. This well-meshed version sings in harmony from start to vibrant finish. Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache. Drink now through 2028.

Overview

Domaines Ott was founded in 1896 by Alsatian engineer Marcel Ott. Today, the wineries are owned and managed by Champagne Louis Roederer, producing some of the world’s most prestigious wines. These wines are made at three distinctively different estates: Château Romassan (Bandol), Clos Mireille, and Château de Selle (both Côtes de Provence).

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. 

Winemaking

The grapes are all handpicked and go through a stringent selective grape sorting, followed by an extremely delicate pressing process. Fermentation and aging are done in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats.

Tasting Notes

The wine reveals a beautiful peach hue, reminiscent of rose gold. The nose is enveloping with aromas of candied citrus, evolving towards lemon verbena leaves. On the palate, the wine is clean and reveals notes of red fruits-strawberries and raspberries. The midpalate is tight, fresh and very harmonious. The wine is delicious, right up to the finely balanced finish, perfumed with a hint of pomelo.

Harvest Notes

The 2023 harvest took place in three phases. During the dormant season, between October and March, there was not enough water to replenish the vines. The arrival of heavy rains in May and June was a gift from nature as the vineyards were flowering. July brought a sharp rise in temperatures, before a brief period of cool weather in early August. This brief respite was then followed by an unprecedented heatwave for this time of year. On August 16th, the teams were ready and waiting to start harvesting in the vineyards of Château de Selle and Clos Mireille. The harvest had to be carried out quickly and well to preserve the freshness of the grapes. The 2023 harvest was completed on September 28th at Château Romassan.

Technical Information

Varietals: 50% Mourvèdre, 30% Cinsault, 20% Grenache