Château Romassan Rouge, Domaines Ott 2020 (750 ml)

92 poena – Wine Spectator

Domaines Ott osnovao je 1896. godine alzaški inženjer Marcel Ott, a danas proizvodi neka od najprestižnijih vina na svijetu. Château Romassan je treće imanje koje je porodica Ott preuzela 1956. godine. Nalazi se u apelaciji Bandol, u podnožju sela Le Castellet. Tlo je siromašno, sastavljeno od krečnjaka, pješčenjaka i morskih laporova iz gornjeg perioda krede. Apelacija Bandol poznata je po svojim terasastim pejzažima, napravljenim od tvrdog kamena, sa vinovom lozom zasađenom na velikim terasama različitih ekspozicija.

Ovo jedinstveno crveno vino u malim količinama sastoji se od 90% Mourvèdre-a i 10% Grenache-a. Grožđe dolazi sa dvije parcele: iz nižeg dijela doline, gdje daje svježe i hrskavo grožđe, i iz viših predjela na terasastim padinama, gdje daje vina sa više tijela i strukture. Grožđe se ručno bere i pomoću gravitacije prebacuje u betonske tankove na maceraciju uz svakodnevno pretakanje. Nakon završene fermentacije, vino odležava 18 mjeseci u francuskom hrastovom buretu, a zatim još 18 do 24 mjeseca u boci — znatno duže od propisa apelacije Bandol.

Berba iz 2020. godine ima privlačnu grimizno-crvenu boju sa rubin crvenim odsjajem. Na nosu dominiraju note višanja morello i borovnica uz dašak svježe mente, dopunjene diskretnim tonovima lagano tostiranih ljubičica. Na nepcu je vino svilenkasto i izuzetno svježe. Tanini su glatki i dobro strukturirani, a završnica donosi arome zrelog crnog voća i blagu notu sladića. Odlično se slaže uz jela sa roštilja.

92 points - Wine Spectator

Domaines Ott was founded in 1896 by Alsatian engineer Marcel Ott and, today, produces some of the world’s most prestigious wines.  Château Romassan is the third estate acquired by the Ott family in 1956, located in the Bandol appellation and lies at the foot of the village of Le Castellet. The soil is poor, composed of limestone, sandstone, and marine upper cretaceous marls. The Bandol appellation is known for its terraced landscapes built from hard stone with vines, which are planted into vast terraces with varying exposures.

This unique and small-volume red wine is comprised of 90% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache.  The grapes are sourced from two sites:  from a plot lower in the valley that offers grapes with fresh, crunchy juice, and one of higher altitudes on the terraced hillsides that produces wines with more body and structure.  The grapes are hand-harvested and gravity-fed into concrete tanks for maceration with daily pumping over. When fermentation is complete, it is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, followed by 18 to 24 months in bottle—well beyond the Bandol appellation's regulations. 

This 2020 vintage is an attractive garnet-red hue with ruby tints. A minty nose of morello cherries and blueberries is complemented by notes of lightly toasted violets. The mouthfeel is very silky on a very fresh palate.  The tannins and smooth and well-structured, and on the finish there are aromas of ripe black fruit and a hint of liquorice.  This is a terrific pairing for grilled meats.