Le Galantin Rosé 2020 comes from Bandol – one of the most prized appellations of France. Wonder where Bandol is?
It’s a sub-appellation of the most famous Rosé region of France – Provence. Although Bandol is most known for its red wines, they also produce some of the best Rosés, but in small quantities. Le Galantin is our go-to producer from this region because of its quality and value.
Le Galantin Rosé 2020
In the Bottle
Typical for the region, Le Galantin Rosé is a blend of Cinsault (25%), Grenache (25%), and Mourvèdre (50%). The vines are planted on southwest-facing hillsides in the clay and limestone soils.
Why does all that matters? Facing the southwest helps the grapes to fully ripen because they get the most sun exposure. Those clay and limestone soils are favored by Mourvèdre grapes and promote the flavors Bandol is known for. In short, it’s all about the mysterious term “terroir” in France.
The hand-harvested grapes are cooled down to 50C and cold-soaked for a couple of days to extract fruit, color, and aromatics. Around 10% of the wine is made as saignée; the rest come from grapes treated like they would for making white wine.
Following a cool fermentation during which the malolactic fermentation is blocked to retain its fruit-forward character, the wine is fined and bottled.
So what did we taste?
In the Glass
Le Galantin Bandol Rosé 2020 surprised us with a sensible passion fruit aroma that reminded us of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Passion fruit somehow went really well with other aromas in wine: strawberry, lemon, and pink blossoms.
Le Galantin came across as classic Provençal rosé with delightful lemony-citrusy notes, peach, and bing cherry, and a touch of pleasant bitterness that you might taste in nectarine skin.
Food and Wine Pairing
Le Galantin Rosé is among the wines that go well with most foods. Try it with Smoked Salmon Spread or scallops.
We paired it with a salad with homegrown herbs garnished with nasturtium and bean potato savory pancakes inspired by Indian cuisine.
Finish
Le Galantin Bandol Rosé 2020 was a delightful sensory experience both on the nose and the palate. It felt like classic Provençal Rosé met New Zealand’s Sauv Blanc. It felt like strawberries met passion fruit, and they lived happily ever after.
We know it sounds crazy, but it’s true!