In the glass
Aroma: blackberry, thyme, leather, pepper
Palate: damson, tobacco, iron, savoury herb
Biodynamic-farmed Bandol from one of the appellation's longest-organic estates. Garrigue-driven with leather and iron depth; the firm acidity holds the wine for a decade and a half.
What it pairs with
-
Magret de canard with rosemary
Sainte Anne's thyme and pepper aromatics echo the herb-scented duck; the wine's iron grip handles the fat. -
Sanglier en daube
Provencal wild boar stew finds a peer in the wine's leather and garrigue register. -
Aged sheep cheese with fig jam
Sheep's-milk salt and fig sweetness bridge the wine's tannin and dark-fruit aged tones. -
Beef cheek with olives
Slow-braised beef and Provencal olives align with the wine's savoury depth; tannins frame the rich sauce.
History
The Dutheil de la Rochere family has farmed Sainte Anne organically since the 1970s and biodynamically since the late 1980s, making it one of the earliest Bandol estates to adopt both practices. The Collection cuvee is the estate's age-worthy red.
- 1975 — Estate begins organic farming under Francois Dutheil de la Rochere
- 1988 — First Bandol estate to follow biodynamic principles
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Sainte Anne
- Grapes
- Mourvedre (75%), Grenache, Cinsault
- Classification
- AOC Bandol
- Oak
- 24 months in large old oak foudres
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 35 to 55 at retail
- Drinking window
- 7-25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1975
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Chateau Sainte Anne Bandol Rouge Collection
What does Sainte Anne Collection taste like?
Blackberry, thyme, leather and pepper on the nose; damson, tobacco, iron and savoury herb on the palate. Full-bodied with firm tannins, high acidity and a long savoury finish.
When should I drink Sainte Anne Collection?
Drink between 7 and 25 years from vintage. The biodynamic farming gives the cuvee a long arc of development; bottles often peak between year 10 and 15.
Is Sainte Anne Collection vegan?
Yes. Sainte Anne does not use animal-derived fining agents, though the estate does not pursue formal vegan certification.
What food pairs with Sainte Anne Collection?
Magret de canard with rosemary is the canonical pairing. Sanglier en daube, aged sheep cheese with fig jam and beef cheek with olives are equally strong matches.
Is Sainte Anne biodynamic?
Yes. Sainte Anne has farmed biodynamically since 1988, one of the earliest Bandol estates to adopt the practice, though the estate is not currently Demeter-certified.