In the glass
Aroma: white peach, wild strawberry, fennel, white pepper
Palate: pomegranate, lemon zest, saline, rosemary
Biodynamic Bandol rose with Mourvedre-led structure. Stone fruit and pomegranate over a saline-fennel finish; ages four years easily.
What it pairs with
-
Tian d'aubergines
Sainte Anne's herb and salt register matches the Provencal eggplant bake; the wine's body handles olive oil. -
Grilled red snapper with thyme
The wine's saline core matches the fish's iodine sweetness; thyme aromatics echo the herb-scented cooking. -
Salade nicoise
Anchovy, olive and tuna meet a rose with backbone; lemon-zest finish refreshes between bites. -
Pissaladiere
Caramelised onion, anchovy and olive tart aligns with the rose's saline depth and savoury herb.
History
Sainte Anne's biodynamic rose has been bottled in essentially its current form since the early 1990s. The cuvee benefits from the estate's long biodynamic practice (since 1988) and remains a precise, structured rose at a moderate price.
- 1988 — Estate begins biodynamic farming
- 1990 — Modernised rose vinification with extended lees aging
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Sainte Anne
- Grapes
- Mourvedre (60%), Cinsault, Grenache
- Classification
- AOC Bandol
- Oak
- Direct press, stainless steel fermentation, brief aging on fine lees
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 22 to 35 at retail
- Drinking window
- 1-6 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Chateau Sainte Anne Bandol Rose
What does Sainte Anne Rose taste like?
White peach, wild strawberry, fennel and white pepper on the nose; pomegranate, lemon zest, saline and rosemary on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long saline finish.
When should I drink Sainte Anne Rose?
Drink between 1 and 6 years from vintage. The Mourvedre share gives genuine cellaring potential; bottles often show better at year 2 or 3 than at release.
Is Sainte Anne Rose 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 Rose?
Tian d'aubergines is the canonical pairing. Grilled red snapper with thyme, salade nicoise and pissaladiere are equally strong matches.
Is Sainte Anne Rose biodynamic?
Yes. The estate has farmed biodynamically since 1988, so the rose comes from biodynamic-farmed Mourvedre, Cinsault and Grenache fruit.