If you’ve been lucky enough to come to our Spectator Writers’ Dinners in the boardroom, you will have enjoyed many wines from Château Léoube, the sustainable, organic estate founded at Cap Bénat in Provence by Lord and Lady Bamford in 1997. We love these wines and we love you, and so I’m delighted to offer here the whole range at special Spectator-friendly prices.
The Forever Sparkling Love Rosé Alcohol Free (1) was an unexpected hit at Spectator Towers recently, with all bottles drained. I’m not keen on alcohol-free drinks – my morning glass of water’n’cider vinegar aside – but found this de-alcoholised (by vacuum distillation) Grenache/Cinsault blend to be surprisingly tasty. There’s no added sugar, although they do bung in the tiniest splash of strawberry and bitter cherry essence for character. If you enjoy Provençal rosé but fancy giving booze the swerve, you’ll love it. £14.95 down from £16.95.
The Sparkling Love by Léoube Rosé (2) is just charming and sold out when we last offered it. Made by the Charmat rather than the Traditional Method, it’s a fresh, lively, red fruit-filled fizz with a deliciously light, soft and creamy mousse. You’d have to be a complete wine snob not to be seduced by it. £19.95 down from £22.95.
The 2025 Love by Léoube Rosé (3) is the estate’s entry-level still wine and many folks’ favourite, so uncomplicated, approachable and expressive is it. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre, it’s fresh, creamy and textured with a touch of salinity on the finish. Just like a pack of Pringles, once you’ve started, you can’t stop. £15.95 down from £18.95.
The 2025 Ch. Léoube Rosé (4) is a similar blend to the above but made entirely from estate-grown fruit, with a touch more Syrah. It tastes a bit more, well, grown-up. With a mineral saltiness and a greater hint of strawberry on the finish, it’s best served with food – garlic prawns, say, or goat’s cheese salad. £19.95 down from £24.95.
The 2025 Secret de Léoube Rosé (5) is serious fare, the previous vintage of which won the Decanter Platinum Award. Made from free-run juice and a gentle pressing, it’s as pale as can be. But, with herbs, citrus, white pepper and red fruit, it has plenty of flavour and backbone thanks, in part, to the dash of Cabernet Sauvignon (winemaker Romain Ott’s ‘secret’). Don’t be put off, but this is what President Macron drinks at his nearby retraite. £24.95 down from £29.95.
The 2025 Love by Léoube Blanc (6) is an engaging blend of 90 per cent Rolle (aka Vermentino) and 10 per cent Sémillon. With plenty of lemon/grapefruit and a keen acidity, it’s an ideal poolside wine. No, it doesn’t have masses of character but it’s so cheerful and drinkable that a second glass will have come and gone before you know it. £15.95 down from £18.95.
The 2024 Ch. Léoube Blanc (7) is a similar blend but in different proportions: 60 per cent Rolle and 40 per cent Sémillon. As a result, it’s slightly creamier and more textured, with hints of white stone fruit and beeswax along with the ever-present citrus. Fruit and acidity are perfectly balanced. £21.95 down from £26.95.
The 2021 Ch. Léoube Rouge (8) is a soft, smooth Syrah/Cinsault blend that spent a year in oak. There’s lots of rich, ripe, dark fruit here, along with warming garrigue herbs and spice, and it’s a great favourite at our aforementioned dinners. Ideal with the first barbecue of summer or Sunday roast, it’s also soft and smooth enough to drink on its own. £22.95 down from £27.95.
Finally, the 2018 Collector Rouge (9) made from Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon. The Bamfords are rightly proud of this, their ‘Super Provence’. Rich, intense and concentrated, with dark cherry and blackcurrant and teasing spice, it’s mouthfillingly fine and not short on alcohol either. £42.95 down from £49.95.
The Léoube Mixed Case (10) has two bottles each of wines 3-8 and the Rosé Mixed Case (11) has four bottles each of wines 3-5. Delivery, as ever, is free.
Order online or download an order form.
To find out more about our Winemaker Lunches, Masterclasses and Wine Tours, visit spectator.co.uk/tastings.
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