Château Romassan
In 1896 Marcel Ott, a young graduate in agronomy engineering from Alsace, finally found an estate that he liked in Provence. Marcel Ott bought several estates and began renovating them with the ambition to create great Provencal wines from noble grape varieties. 120 years later, cousins Jean-François and Christian Ott dedicate their lives to their ancestor’s love for the site. In 2004, Domaines Ott joined Louis Roederer and its fabulous selection of wine craftsmen.
Christian and Jean-François run three estates: Château de Selle, Clos Mireille and Château Romassan. Each property produces elegant rosé, including the famous “Cœur de Grain” regarded as the unrivalled queen of rosé, all over the world as well as red and white wines.
Marcel Ott – Jean-François & Christian Ott
Respectful of nature, each Domaines Ott nurture the soil without chemicals. The organic fertilizers used are all natural. The products used to treat the most common vine diseases are made from a naturally-occurring combination of sulphur and Bordeaux mixture (a blend of copper, slaked lime and black soap), as these are the only treatments allowed in organic farming. When the vines become too old, they are replaced; the quality of the wines remains constant across the three estates. The estates are now among the most famous, the most quality-driven and the most carefully preserved in all Provence. Each of the Domaines Ott wines is the result of generations of expertise and the best possible conditions for making wine.
I recently came across a CHÂTEAU ROMASSAN rose 2016 and was interested in the history of the Domaine. Acquired by the Ott family in 1956, it took thirty years for the old Château Romassan to produce great wines. Entirely replanted with noble grape varieties, the eighteenth-century building overlooking the vineyard was also completely renovated. located in the Var département, in the heart of the celebrated Bandol winemaking region, Mourvèdre is the estate’s primary grape variety. Indigenous to the area, it is particularly suited to the arid climate and austere soil.
Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah are also grown in smaller quantities. The vines have an average age of 25 years. The vines draw their individuality from the soil made of Chalk, sandstone and marl underlain with gravel. This singular land with its sun-drenched and particularly dry microclimate produces sophisticated and very powerful wines.
Domaines Ott – Chateau Romassan & BY. OTT
Domaines Ott Chateau Romassan Bandol Rosé 2016
Distinguished, and elegant, this particular rose is powered by Mourvèdre grapes, complemented by the fullness of Grenache, the softness of Cinsault and, the fruity roundness of Syrah grapes. Its color is pale pink. On the palate, it releases bright notes of fruits with a hint of the gentle acidity of a pink grapefruit. Let it breathe and it will take on an even softer taste. The finish is fruity and lasting.
Price: $30.00
The other rose I tried was BY.OTT Rose 2016
BY.OTT has a clear pink color with orange undertones. It is a blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Cinsault and Syrah, which originate from several vineyards in Cotes de Provence, adding finesse in the finish. Delicate and fruity with notes of white peach and apricot mixed with passion fruit and mango. The taste is full, fresh and crisp. BY.OTT is a refined wine which will please any Rose enthusiast. Serve well chilled.
Price: $19.99
Château de Selle, dates back from the 18th-century. It was the home of the Counts of Provence. It is located on chalky hills where it enjoys a great deal of sunshine. The arid soil is comprised of 40-50% stone. Despite the presence of highly fertile quantities of clay, it produces small yields. The winery is on 345 acres, of which 160 acres are cultivated. Each year additional acres are prepared for planting, a process in which the earth is mechanically tilled and the stone is crushed to maintain the correct balance in the soil.
CHÂTEAU DE SELLE: Côtes de Provence 2016
With a pale peach color, the complex and elegant nose combines subtle aromas of citrus fruit (grapefruit, lemon), yellow fruit (apricot, peach and pear) and delicate floral notes. Beautifully balanced, the palate is silky at first, before building in volume with strawberries and raspberries in the finish. It is a blend of 57% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 5% Mourvedre, 2% Syrah and 6% others.
Perfect for all occasions. The robe is intense garnet. The nose is characterized by aromas of blueberry and vanilla with spiced and toasted notes. The palate is rich and fine with soft tannins.
Price: $49.99
