2019 Domaine de la Mongestine ‘Bob Singlar’ Rosé

Region: Coteaux d’Aix en Provence < France

Grapes: Merlot with a splash of Rolle (Vermentino)

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic farming (2014) now in biodynamic conversion; clay and limestone soils; fermented and aged in concrete; bottled unfined/unfiltered w/ <15ppm added So2; 12% ABV

Winemakers: Harry and Celine Gozlan

A fresh, fun take on Provencal rosé!

In the famed Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, Domaine de la Mongestine is a young, certified organic estate that's now in the process of biodynamic conversion.  Super rare in this part of Provence, known for mass-produced rosé, but the couple behind the project, Harry and Celine Gozlan, are passionate about farming with great care and making wines simply.  Further breaking the mold for Provence winemaking, Harry and Celine work naturally in the cellar, with no added So2 unless absolutely needed at bottling only (most Provençal rosé gets high doses), native yeast fermentations only, and no barrel aging -- they use inert tanks and amphora, which allows for micro-oxygenation but does not mask the terroir.  

This is Provence, so of course their rosé is stellar.  But it's also very different than most in the region, a fact that is apparent upon first glance at the cheeky label and the coppery-hued juice that is savory and spicy, like watermelon juice with the slightest hint of jalepeño. This one's a definite crowd pleaser, so make sure to invite 'Bob' to all of the warm weather things starting to happen now that we're getting into the first post-Covid spring.  'Bob' will be a big hit, and won't break the bank or wreck your (next) morning.  Total win.