Visit the Tempier estate in Bandol and it’s no surprise to see a stately portrait of the iconic Lulu Peyraud on the wall. As the driving force behind the success of Bandol’s greatest producer (and by all accounts one hell of a good time), winemaker and chef Lucie "Lulu" Tempier Peyraud taught the world what Bandol could be. Her legacy has come to inspire a near-unmatched level of reverence from the wine trade.

Thousands of miles away in Sonoma Valley, the folks at Bedrock — one of California's great stewards of old vines — crafted “a love letter to Lulu” in the form of a Mourvèdre-based rosé, an homage to Tempier's benchmark version. Whole-cluster pressed and vinified in stainless steel, it has since become one of the most critically adored rosés made in the United States. (Last year Antonio Galloni declared it "one of the more complete rosés readers will come across.") It evokes Tempier’s classically refreshing, yet complex style; a wine that, like Tempier Rosé, and like Lulu herself, boasts layers of intrigue and depth beneath a surface of pure, irresistible joy.

Whether you enjoy this rosé at a picnic, on the beach, in the shade of your favorite park or reveling in the calm of a beloved patio chair, it never fails to satisfy. And because it’s Bedrock, you’ll be enjoying a deceptively drinkable blend sourced from quite serious fruit: centenarian vines in Sonoma and Contra Costa counties. With 76% Mourvèdre, 16% Syrah, and 8% Grenache, there's more Mourvèdre in the 2023 than in previous years, adding to the hefty wild herb, meat and earth notes that make this rosé so compelling. Style, substance, charisma and class. An ode to Lulu, indeed.

Bedrock California Rose Ode to Lulu 2023 - $21.99
"...the goal here is to highlight the beautiful aromatics and freshness while also feeling the natural weight of old vine Mourvèdre. What we have always loved best about the great Mourvèdre-based rosés of the world (Bandol being the most famous) is how they capture the piquant pink grapefruit and stone fruit fragrance of the variety while also letting the savory tarragon and wild herb pungency shine through...the best rosés have lip-smacking deliciousness and are almost terrifyingly easy to drink while being capable of developing complexity in the glass. We are very pleased with the 2023 and feel it to be a worthy iteration of what is one of the most acclaimed rosés made in the Golden State." (Producer's Notes)