Château Romassan Rouge 2021

Château Romassan is the Bandol property of Domaines Ott, a Provence winery founded in 1896 and run with a long-standing respect for the land. This red is built on Mourvèdre with a little Grenache, the classic Bandol recipe. Mourvèdre is a late-ripening grape that needs heat and sun, and the south-facing, sea-facing terraces of Bandol, on poor limestone and sandstone soils, give it the long, warm season it requires while the Mediterranean breeze keeps the fruit fresh. The grape brings deep colour, firm tannin and a savoury, gamey character, and the wine is aged in wood, where slow oxygen exchange softens the structure and knits the tannins together over time. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows dark plum and black fruit over black pepper, dried herbs, garrigue and a leathery, earthy note that is the mark of Mourvèdre. The palate is full and firm, the tannins substantial, the dark fruit carried by an olive and herb savouriness into a long, structured finish. This is a wine built to age. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and game.