2024 Domaines Ott Château Romassan Rosé, Bandol

The 2024 Rosé Château Romassan is a wine of supreme textural finesse and elegance. Beautifully weighted, broad and nearly opulent, yet in no way heavy, the 2024 drapes a blanket of floral-inflected orchard fruit across the tongue, coating every corner of the mouth through the long, focused finish. Rosewater, orange confit and a tickle of sea salt last well after the wine has exited the stage. This is such an intentional Rosé made with the highest level of craftsmanship. I wouldn't hesitate to age this Bandol for a few years to allow even further complexity to develop. Bravo. 

94 points Vinous

Domaines Ott is one of the great names of Provence, founded by Alsatian agronomist Marcel Ott in 1896 after he became captivated by the Mediterranean coast. Château Romassan joined the family estates in 1956 and became the home of Ott’s Bandol wines. Today Domaines Ott sits within the Louis Roederer family of estates, while its famous amphora shaped bottle remains one of the most recognisable sights on a serious rosé table.

Château Romassan lies in Bandol, where terraced vineyards are shaped by limestone, sandstone and marl, abundant Mediterranean sunshine and cooling sea breezes. Mourvèdre is the backbone of the rosé, joined by Cinsault and Grenache, giving it more structure and savoury depth than the average Provençal pink. The 2024 has had a little time to settle, revealing a beautifully composed, gastronomic style that is about far more than pale colour and poolside drinking.

Delicate salmon pink with peach and copper flashes. Wild strawberry, white peach and pink grapefruit lead into blood orange and citrus blossom. Fresh fennel, subtle spice and Mediterranean herbs appear underneath, with a faint salty note adding another dimension. The palate is dry and finely textured, with red berries and stone fruit carried by fresh acidity. Grapefruit peel, gentle spice and salinity build through the long, savoury finish.

Grilled red mullet with fennel, tomato and saffron would be glorious, while bouillabaisse, charred octopus with olives, tuna niçoise or zucchini flowers filled with ricotta all make excellent company. This has enough substance to follow you from the first plate of seafood right through lunch, which is exactly where serious Bandol rosé earns its reputation.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2031.