There are very few wines like Pradeaux being made in France today.

Pradeaux is uncompromisingly old school.

When it comes to value in French wine, Pradeaux is as good as it gets. It delivers an abundance of soul, individuality and wild complexity.

In most years, I'd follow up by mentioning that the young wines are impenetrable. Pradeaux's Bandol is a great, utterly fascinating wine, but typically when you taste the young wine you make a leap of faith that it will live up to aged examples.

The 2012 is a different sort of vintage for the wine. It's the most expressive, brightest and accessible example of the wine that we've tasted. Pradeaux's 2012 is far from a classic tannic and foreboding vintage of the wine, but it's also one that's beautiful and very compelling.

Often Pradeaux's complexity is buried in layers of tannin that takes decades to reveal itself. The 2012 is much less inhibited in its expression of Pradeaux's multifaceted personality. It boasts notes of licorice, tobacco, leather, animal, olive, spices and floral notes. The aromatics are gorgeous, leading with bright violet accented notes that give way to a mysterious depth of savory notes.

Pradeaux is steadfast in their traditional methods. They make no effort to tame the Mouverdre that makes up 95% of the wine. Instead, they follow old-fashioned methods like stem inclusion and long-aging in foudres.

Pradeaux has been owned by the Portalis family since 1752. Its close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea is unique, and the cooler temperatures afford the late-ripening Mouvedre an especially long growing season, building complexity along the way.

What results is a subtle, wild complexity with rugged honesty. In short, this is what makes Pradeaux such a moving wine. We're always excited to offer Pradeaux, but 2012 is a particularly joyful version of the wine. We created special 4-pack pricing because you'll want to drink a bottle or two now and still have some to age for a decade or more.

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Joe Salamone

Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits

2012 Château Pradeaux Bandol