From Aix-en-Provence: Half-day Sidecar Wine Tour
Leave Aix-en-Provence aboard a vintage sidecar and discover the legendary Sainte-Victoire mountain, Cézanne’s muse, along with charming villages and local wine tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Best 6 to 20 years from vintage.
vintage6 yrs20 yrs22 yrs
Critic scores
No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.
In the glass
Aroma: dark plum, thyme, leather, pepper
Palate: blackberry, iron, tobacco, savoury herb
Family-owned Bandol from one of the appellation's longest-running estates. Approachable in its youth but with the Mourvedre frame to age fifteen years.
What it pairs with
-
Lamb chops grilled over vine cuttings
Olivette's thyme and pepper register echo the herb-scented lamb; tannins handle the char. -
Cassoulet
Slow-cooked white beans, duck confit and sausage find a peer in the wine's savoury depth and tannin structure. -
Aged Manchego
Sheep's-milk cheese with nutty depth aligns with the wine's leather and dark-fruit aged tones. -
Steak frites with green peppercorn
The classic bistro plate meets Mourvedre's iron and pepper grip; tannins frame the seared crust.
History
The Dumoutier family has run Olivette since 1942, with the modern Bandol Rouge taking shape in the 1960s as the appellation's regulations matured. The estate is one of the few Bandol producers to have remained in continuous family ownership through the 20th century.
- 1942: Dumoutier family acquires the estate
- 1960: Modern Bandol Rouge vinification established under AOC regulations
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine de l'Olivette · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Mourvedre (60%), Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan
- Classification
- AOC Bandol
- Oak
- 18 to 24 months in large old oak foudres
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 25 to 40 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1960
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Domaine de l'Olivette Bandol Rouge
What does Olivette Rouge taste like?
Dark plum, thyme, leather and pepper on the nose; blackberry, iron, tobacco and savoury herb on the palate. Full-bodied with firm tannins, high acidity and a long savoury finish.
When should I drink Olivette Rouge?
Drink between 6 and 20 years from vintage. The cuvee is more approachable in youth than some flagship Bandol; decant 60 minutes for vintages under 10 years old.
Is Olivette Rouge vegan?
Yes. Olivette does not use animal-derived fining agents on its red, though the estate does not pursue formal vegan certification.
What food pairs with Olivette Rouge?
Lamb chops grilled over vine cuttings is the canonical pairing. Cassoulet, aged Manchego and steak frites with green peppercorn are equally strong matches.
What classification does Olivette Rouge have?
AOC Bandol, requiring a minimum 50 percent Mourvedre and at least 18 months in oak. Olivette typically runs around 60 percent Mourvedre, with the balance from Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan.
Tags
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