Guilhem passionately believes in quality.  He keep yields low, replaces old vines with superior and more distinguished grape varieties, and only pick the grapes at optimum maturity.

Château Bastide itself is a magnificent old building, surrounded by vines and set outside the sleepy picturesque village of Escales.  Steady investment over the years has ensured that the most modern vinification equipment is used and Guilhem has recently completed a modern cellar for aging the wines in oak barrels

Entrance to Chateau Bastide

This Spring we called in to visit Guilhem and Anne-Marie and try their new vintages.  Guilhem has been very busy – in addition to his usual excellent wines, he has developed two new ones.  The white, Abondance,  is a mouthwatering Roussane/Vermentino and the red, Exubérance, is lovely, delicate Grenache/Mourvèdre blend.

We have put together a mixed case with 2 bottles of each of the following six wines. 

Domaine La Bastide Viognier 2010                                                                                                             £6.50

Vin de Pays de l’Hauterive

This is Viognier at its best with a floral nose reminiscent of honesuckle.  On the palate it has lovely mouthfeel with flavours of white peach and apricots.  It ends with gentle acidity and a hint of peach stones leads into a long finish.  Delicious!

Domaine La Bastide Abondance 2010                                                                                                        £6.50

AC Corbières

This is a new wine from Guilhem, which successfully blends 80% Roussanne with 20% Vermentino. It has a pretty floral nose with a hint of menthol, which leads into a juicy mouthful of exotic fruit salad flavours, ending with a crisp finish and good length.

Domaine La Bastide Blanc 2010                                                                                                                  £6.50

AC Corbières

Made from 50% Roussanne, 25% Bourboulenc and 25% Vermentino, this wine is cold-fermented to enhance the pure fruit flavours.  It has a delicate floral, peachy nose nose, which leads into juicy, peach and apricot fruit with lovely mouthfeel and gentle acidity at the finish.

Domaine La Bastide Tradition 2009                                                                                                            £6.50

AC Corbières

This is a wine that we have shipped in many vintages in the past, and this is the best vintage I remember!  Medium/deep in colour, a nose of cherries and port, loads of black fruits on the palate and perfect for drinking now. Black Forest gateau in a glass!

Domaine La Bastide Syrah Les Gênets Vieilles Vignes 2009                                                                  £6.50

Vin de Pays de l’Hauterive

This is also the best vintage that I recall tasting at Bastide.  Practically opaque in colour, the nose is almost Hermitage/Côte Rôtie in style with hints of raspberry, vanilla and woodsmoke.  On the palate it is amazingly concentrated, juicy, supple and yet very fresh.  An absolute stunner at this price!

Domaine La Bastide Exubérance 2009                                                                                                       £7.25

AC Corbières

Guilhem has developed an exciting new AC red this year from a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre.  Medium in colour, it has fresh brambley nose with stacks of juicy, silky bramble and apple fruit flavours on the palate. Lovely balance and great length

Mixed Price : £79.50

 - As usual please email, fax, phone or write to place your orders -

More info on http://www.chateau-la-bastide.fr/

July 2011