Chateau Sainte Anne, Bandol Blanc 2023

Bandol is often associated with heady reds and Provençal roses, but the whites of the region, though rare, can be absolute stunners. Especially those of Chateau Sainte Anne, an iconic family domaine who have been champions of natural winemaking for generations and were among the first to defy the pressure of chemical agriculture in the 1970s. With the domaine's exceptional location between three 'massifs', it has a cool microclimate, making for long, slow ripening, and incredible freshness considering the Mediterranean location. It is a lovely ripe meets savoury white from Clairette and Ugni Blanc, with herbaceous and spicy notes, pear skin, subtle floral notes and a saline finish. The white wine makes up just 5% of the estate's production, but has become cultishly followed thanks to its freshness and complexity.