Château Barthès Bandol Blanc / 2024 / 375mL

Description:

Château Barthès Bandol Blanc 2024 is a dry, savoury white from Bandol in Provence, built on citrus and white stone fruit with a saline edge rather than tropical richness. In 375mL it is a genuinely useful bottle: two decent glasses of serious southern French white without opening a full one.

The nose is bright and slightly herbal — lemon zest, white peach, crushed fennel seed and a chalky, sea-air note that turns up in good Bandol whites. Air brings out something waxier, closer to quince and dried yellow flowers.

On the palate the fruit is fine-boned and the acidity is firm without being sharp, carrying a gently textural mid-palate that stops the wine feeling lean. The finish is dry and mineral, with a faint bitter-almond twist that makes you want the next mouthful. Worth noting that a half bottle evolves faster than a 750mL, so this drinks a touch more open and expressive already.

Made for shellfish: oysters, prawns off the barbecue, whole grilled snapper with lemon. It also handles goat's cheese, aïoli and a plate of olives if you are drinking it as an aperitif for one or two.

Drink now through to 2027, keeping in mind the 375mL format will hit its peak earlier than the standard bottle.