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The Quintessential Provençal Refresher
The Quintessential Provençal Refresher
by Anthony Lynch by Anthony Lynch
2021 Côtes de Provence Rosé
2021 Côtes de Provence Rosé


Le Liouquet, La Ciotat

Clos Sainte Magdeleine France | Provence | Côtes de Provence
Blanc has always been the focus since we began importing Clos Sainte Magdeleine’s wines in the late 1970s, with their fennel- and sea-salt-inflected Cassis setting the standard for Mediterranean whites. But vigneron Jonathan Sack also bottles a Cassis rosé each year, a delicate expression of mainly Grenache and Cinsault that is, sadly, made in tiny quantities.
As of recently, there is a brand new rosé in the Clos Sainte Magdeleine lineup. The Côtes de Provence is sourced from a vineyard in La Ciotat, about halfway between Cassis and Bandol and not far from the Mediterranean coast. Using a similar blend to the Cassis rosé, Sack has crafted what is perhaps the quintessential Provençal refresher—an uplifting nectar of bright citrus, fresh berry fruit, wild herbs, and salty sea air—that is a far cry from the countless technological, mass-marketed examples in production throughout the region.
No, Sack’s bears a distinct sense of place, and it's someplace we all want to be: under the sun, by the sea, glass in hand, a bowl of briny olives within reach. Monsieur, a refill, s’il vous plaît!


Le Liouquet, La Ciotat

Wine Type: | Rosé |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 35% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah |
Appellation: | Côtes de Provence |
Country: | France |
Region: | Provence |
Producer: | Clos Sainte Magdeleine |
Winemaker: | Jonathan Sack |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1979-1999 (30 years average), 4.5 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region

2022 Alpilles Rouge “Grenache”
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A thoroughbred of pure Grenache, this unbridled rouge is fresh and lithe, teeming with juicy dark fruit and ample goût de terroir.

2022 Bandol Rouge “La Tourtine”
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There are few pleasures like aged Bandol rouge from Tempier.

2023 Cassis Blanc
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May Chevalier ~ A blend of Ugni blanc, Claudette, Marsanne, and Sauvignon blanc, here is the wine to enhance seafood and shellfish.

2022 Cassis Blanc “Bel-Arme”
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With a touch of creaminess following the crisp stone fruit, it’s a Mediterranean white in a cashmere sweater.

2022 Cassis Blanc
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A blend of Ugni blanc, Claudette, Marsanne, and Sauvignon blanc, here is the wine to enhance seafood and shellfish.

2019 Bandol Rouge “Saint Ferréol”
France | Provence
Soulful and slightly wild, but beautifully balanced, this rouge has an irresistible notes of garrigue.

2021 Bandol Rouge“La Migoua”
France | Provence
At the domaine's highest-elevation site, Mourvèdre's might is gently enveloped by Grenache and Cinsault to yield a Bandol of great finesse.

2020 Bandol Rouge “Saint Ferréol”
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Soulful and slightly wild, but beautifully balanced, this rouge has an irresistible notes of garrigue.

Les Baux de Provence Olive Oil “Les Baux”
| Provence
Made with mature black olives, the most buttery and decadent oil we import.

2016 Bandol Rouge
France | Provence
Chill and enjoy with Richard Olney’s marinated fennel recipe.
About The Producer
Clos Sainte Magdeleine
About The Region
Provence
There is perhaps no region more closely aligned with the history of Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant than Provence. While Kermit began his career as a Burgundy specialist, he soon fell in love with Provence and its wines, notably the legendary Bandols of Domaine Tempier, which he began importing in 1977. He later began living in the area part-time, returning frequently between tasting trips, and today he spends most of his time at his home just outside of Bandol.
Provence is thought to be France’s most ancient wine region, established when Greek settlers landed in the modern-day port city of Marseille in the 6th century BC. The conditions here are ideal for cultivation of the grapevine, with a hot, dry climate and a prevalence of poor, rocky soils, primarily limestone-based, suitable for vines and not much else. The ever-present southern sunshine as well as the mistral, a cold, drying wind from the northwest that helps keep the vines free of disease, are crucial elements of Provençal terroir. Wild herbs from the pervasive scrubland, called garrigue, and cooling saline breezes from the Mediterranean also contribute to the quality and character of wines in all three colors.
Provence is well known for its rosés, but red wines have always held importance here. The very best, such as those from Bandol, possess great depth and a capacity for long-term aging. The white wines, notably those of Cassis, offer weight balanced by a maritime freshness, making them ideal pairings for the local seafood. Mourvèdre reigns king for red grapes, supported mainly by Grenache and Cinsault, while Clairette, Marsanne, Rolle, and Ugni Blanc are the region’s principal white grapes.
More from Provence or France
2023 Bandol Blanc
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2023 Cassis Blanc
Clos Sainte Magdeleine France | Provence
2022 Côtes de Provence “Blanc de Blancs”
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2016 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros ’Noré France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Migoua”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
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2021 Bandol Rosé MAGNUM
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2020 Bandol Rouge
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2019 Les Baux de Provence Rouge “Cornaline”
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2020 Côtes de Provence Syrah “Les Planches de la Garedivole”
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2023 Alpilles Blanc “Jaspe”
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2022 Cassis Blanc “Bel-Arme”
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2023 Bandol Blanc
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2023 Cassis Blanc
Clos Sainte Magdeleine France | Provence
2022 Côtes de Provence “Blanc de Blancs”
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2016 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros ’Noré France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Migoua”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rosé MAGNUM
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros ’Noré France | Provence
2019 Les Baux de Provence Rouge “Cornaline”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2020 Côtes de Provence Syrah “Les Planches de la Garedivole”
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2023 Alpilles Blanc “Jaspe”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2022 Cassis Blanc “Bel-Arme”
Clos Sainte Magdeleine France | Provence
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174