New from France

2007 Chateâu Pontet-Bagatelle - Rosée de Bagatelle

Oz-born Garry Stephen and his wife Sabine have just completed their first full wine-making season since moving to Provence at the end of 2006.

Bagatelle began its life as a small chapel in the 13th Century.  It was constructed with vaulted ceilings and columns of Rogne stone, a beautiful soft yellow stone from the region.   It later became a post office, and later a carrot farm, and it was only in 1993 that it was restored and vinification began.

The wine business at Bagatelle has always been small and boutique in nature.  Significant capital was invested in the wine-making plant in 2007, and further investment in the vineyards is planned in the coming years.

Customers fortunate enough to have tried the 2006 rosé will appreciate the fresh and fruity nature of the Bagatelle blend of Syrah, Grenache & Sinsault.  The 2007 (made of Grenache and Syrah only this year) was bottled at the end of April, and we remain the only independent retail wine merchant in the UK supplying this wine.  The 2007 is much lighter in colour than the 2006 (which was quite blush), a true pale pink Provencale rosé.  It has a wonderfully fruity bouquet with hints of grapefruit and strawberries; and a fruity taste that is dry at the beginning yet supple at the end.

The 2007 grapes were handpicked, with a focus on selecting the quality grapes.  This followed a ‘vendange vert’ in July to maximise the growth of the highest quality grapes.

The 2007 wines arrived at the beginning of July.   This is the perfect summer rosé, and customers are advised to buy early to avoid disappointment.  We regret that we have exhausted all stocks of the 2006, but believe us when we say that the 2007 is better than ever.  With multiple medals in regional wine competitions in France, and as recommended by Jonathan Ray in the Daily Telegraph, the 2007 Pontet-Bagatelle is a must have at £8.99 a bottle, or at a case price of £7.99 a bottle.