Weekly Under $20 Value Wine Pick – 2008 Le Saint Andre de Figuiere vin de Pays du Var Rose
Winery: Saint Andre de Figuiere
Bottling: 2008 Le Saint Andre Vin de Pays du Var Rose (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault & Grenache)
Importer: Paul M. Young Fine Wines
Region: France
Sub-Region: Vin de Pays du Var
Estimated Retail Price: $14
Purchase Details: Purchased from Solano Cellars in Albany, California for $13.50.
Tasting Notes: Very pale coral and salmon hue in the glass. On the nose, delicate aromas of roses and mineral. In the mouth and interestingly enough, this rose has flavors that are more reminiscent of white wines. Apples and white peaches are the main flavors I remember tasting. Unripe Safeway strawberries added actual rose flavors. A very light-weight mouth feel and a crisp, dry finish complete the wine.
They also make another rose, the 2008 Cotes de Provence Magali, which we had a few months ago. The information on the website says that the fruit for both wines are sourced from the same vineyards and regions, so I’m not too sure what the differences are between the two wines besides the packaging and slightly differing taste styles. This wine had a very similar flavor profile as the other except that it was a little lighter in body and a little drier. I’ll just go ahead and conclude that the Signature series is a “better” line based on the more specific Provence AOC recognition.
The scallop, corn and arugula salad went oh so nicely with the Saint Andre.
Food Pairing & Context in Which to Enjoy: In my review of the winery’s other rose, I state that one must be a little careful with what you pair with the wine because it was so delicate. With this Vin de Pays du Var being even more delicate than the Cotes de Provence, you need to be even more careful with what you pair with this wine.
Winery & Other Background Information: Alain Combard, an aviator by trade, bought this estate and vineyards in 1991 after working and training with fellow vintner Michel Laroche of Chablis for over 22 years.
I got a nice warm fuzzy kind of feel when I visited the website of this estate. It’s a family run company that has some member of the family either tending the vines, answering the phone, managing distribution or chasing down the children in the vineyards. They also make a host of other wines on the estate with reds based on the mourvedre, syrah and cinsault grapes and white wines on vermentino, semillon and ugni blanc.