News — Provence

"Unusual in Every Respect"
2020 Château Simone Palette Rouge

Given the wine's harmony and Simone's track record for aging, the 2020 seems poised to show brilliantly for at least the next decade.

Like No Other:
2019 Tempier Bandol Rosé

It belongs to a very small class of rosés that really flourish in the cellar. It shares this unique status with wines like Château Simone, Cotat, and Valentini's Cerasuolo. Catching a Tempier with 5 or more years of age is delightful.

My Go-To Rosé:
2019 La Fete du Rosé

La Fete du Rosé is the real deal.

This gorgeous, classic Provençal wine delivers everything that I want from a serious rosé.

Stand Alone Rosé:
2019 Pradeaux Bandol Rosé

There are very few wines like Pradeaux being made in France today. Pradeaux is uncompromisingly old school.

Their Bandol Rosé is one of the most structured, complex, and ageable examples of the category. 

200 Meters From The Mediterranean:
2019 Bagnol Cassis Rosé

Every year, Bagnol's Cassis is among the first rosés to sell out.

The explanation is simple: it delivers everything that you could ask for from a Provençal rosé. 

The Southern Aristocrat - Legend In The Making MAGNUM Edition:
2016 Château Simone Palette Blanc Magnums

Château Simone's Blanc is one of the great unsung wines of France.

Along with the legendary 2008, Simone's 2016 Blanc seems poised to be one of the greats.

The Southern Aristocrat - Legend In The Making:
2016 Château Simone Palette Blanc

Château Simone's Blanc is one of the great unsung wines of France. Along with the legendary 2008, Simone's 2016 Blanc seems poised to be one of the greats. In early March, we opened a bottle for the staff to taste blind, and everyone was blown away by it.

The Rhône & Beyond 1989-2017:
Allemand, Chave, Clape, Gonon, Rayas, Tempier & More

I reached deep into our Rhône inventory and checked out what we have from Provence and Languedoc as well. You'll find Allemand Reynard, mags of old Tempier, Verset, and plenty of other rarities.

"Unusual in Every Respect"
- 2012 Château Simone Palette Blanc

Simone Blanc confounds expectations. From deep within sun-soaked Provence comes this white wine of shocking verve, aristocratic breeding and the capacity to age for decades.

Time-Honored Bandol In Top Form:
2013 Tempier Bandol Rouge Classique Half-Bottles

Tempier is the long-time standard bearer of Bandol. Even though it's the middle of summer and we're just getting through a major heatwave, I can't help but make this offering.

"Unusual in every respect" - 2014 Château Simone Palette Rouge

Tasting Château Simone simply redefines what's possible in Provence. Compared to the rest of the Provençal wines Chateau Simone stands out for its balance, refinement and poise.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
2016 Tempier Bandol Rosé

Simply put, Tempier's Bandol Rosé is special. There are few rosés that serious wine collectors love as much as Tempier.

Dynamite and A Provencal Aristocrat:
2015 Domaine de Trevallon IGP Alpilles

Along with Tempier and Château Simone, Domaine de Trévallon stands as one of the great, long aging and truly noble wines of Provence. For many years, we've been buying up every bottle of back-vintage Trévallon that we could find. Old Trévallon offers some of the most moving and honest experiences in wine. Bottles from the late eighties and early nineties remain stunning today.

Provence's Aristocrat
2013 Château Simone Palette Rouge

There's something indisputably noble and singular about Château Simone. When their rouge is on, it makes this point very clear. 

Like No Other: 2015 Tempier Bandol Rosé

Tempier belongs to a very small class of rosés that really flourish in the cellar. It's a sunny, warm(ish) day here and seemed like the perfect time to bust out this stash of Tempier's rosé that just arrived.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
2014 Tempier Bandol Rosé

Offering a three year old rosé in the middle of fall would typically seem like total insanity, but Tempier is special. Tempier belongs to a very small class of rosés that really flourish in the cellar. It shares this unique status with wines like Château Simone, Cotat and Valentini's Cerasuolo. A year ago we drank a glorious bottle of 2012 Tempier Rosé.

"Unusual in Every Respect"
2012 Château Simone Palette Rouge

Catch a Simone Rouge from the right vintage and you’ll encounter class, subtlety and lift that’s completely unique for Provence

Confounding Greatness:
2013 Château Simone Palette Blanc

After more than a decade of drinking Simone's Blanc, we're more and more convinced that it's one of France's most important white wines. Vintages like 2013 dramatically underscore how aristocratic and complex the wine can be.