Domaine Lafran Veyrolles Bandol

Description

Domaine Lafran Veyrolles Bandol is a red wine made in Provence in the south east of France. The Bandol Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) is based around the village of Bandol near Toulon. The major grape variety in the AOC is Mourvedre which must account for at least 50% of both the red and the rosé wines produced.

This small, traditional estate is located in the one of the 8 communes to make up Bandol called La Cadiere d’Azur which is some 6kms from Bandol itself. It is managed by Jean-Marie Castell, whose father also worked the estate for the owners, the Ferec family. The vineyards are locatedoin the slopes of the Côtes de Veyrolles with a good southerly exposition and is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by the crest of the Gros Cerveau and the Antrechaus hills. The domaine enjoys sheltered sunshine by day with cooling sea breezes in the evening and it is nicely sheltered during the winter months. The soil is principally clayey-limestone derived from marine deposits in the upper cretaceous period. The clay component aids the soil’s water retention during periods of drought which helps to keep the vines healthy.

Domaine Lafran Veyrolles makes red, white and rosé wines. The 10 hectare estate is planted with Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, Ugni Blanc and Carignan. Since 1993 they have made just two red cuvées, this wine, La Cuvée Tradition, and La Cuveé Speciale. The estate is organic in all but name, all weeding is done mechanically, no chemicals are used and sustainable viticulture is practiced. Yields are kept through strict green harvesting.

Domaine Lafran Veyrolles Bandol La Cuvée La Tradition is a blend of Mourvedre 70%, Grenache 20% and Cinsault 10%. The grapes are harvested by hand into small trays to ensure the grapes arrive at the winery in best condition. They are gently crushed before being fermented for 15 to 21 days in temperature controlled vats. The wine is aged for 18 to 24 months in largeg oak barrels prior to bottling without fining or filtration.