There are few guys in the Olive Oil business better than Andre Mieffre at Domaine des Bastidettes, an enterprise located on the Crau. The Crau plateau is the breadbasket of Provence and is located near Arles. We like that Mr. Mieffre is nice and that his family is charming, but there is big subtext also why we think that he is so darn cool. He has one foot planted in tradition and the other in progress. His family is from Provence. The original family apple orchards near Carpentras were "eminent domained" into TGV track. To be in the new world, his son studied in the U.S. to learn English. In most respects, Mr. Mieffre is a progressive guy. Now he is riding the NEW wave of French Olive Oil: trees planted in an intensive manner, mechanical harvest, NEW state-of-the-art pressing facility that includes a gas flush during the maceration and a gas flushed stainless storage. In step with the new way, he even offers a 3 liter bag-in-the-box for restaurants The result of all of this modernity is oil that combines French taste sensibility with world-class orgeneleptic quality. Domaine des Bastidettes "Saveurs de Provence" blend has the composition and gustatory qualities for the long haul 4th quarter and the right price. The complexion is soft, buttery and elegant: it is FRENCH. It is complex from beginning to end, thoughtful and a natural with fine food. In keeping with tradition, the olives he uses are Aglandau, Salonenque, Cayon, and Koronéïki. (Although widely used, the koronéïki is not too French but it sure gives us some terrific legs in Q4 and really delicious olive taste.) See for yourself the accolades Domaine des Bastidettes garnered in the olive oil issue of Der Feinschmecker. Right now, many well-known French olive oils are made in a "Tuscan" style (including the types of olive cultivars they use). For folks who love the BEEG Burn & Bitter in their oil, this might not be for you. But if you or your customers are talking about elegant Burgundy or Bordeaux wines rather than huge California cabs, well guess what! This is the oil for you! The package and it's details: We have 3 sku's available with this Saveurs de Provence blend: Domaine des Bastidettes label: #1. A 3 liter bag-in-a-box; #2 a 500 ml. green bottle; #3 a 250 ml. round can with the "Jas de Camargue" label. What's a "Jas", and what's a "Camargue", and why's there a "#*$%" flamingo on the label? (This isn't Florida ya know!) Well, that is another story. Mr. Mieffre has that foot in tradition. So he released the "Jas de Camargue" as homage to his grandfather. The senior Mr. Mieffre was a mini rancher/ shepherd and in the old days in Provence, the term "Jas" was used to indicate a structure for the critters (goats most likely) and maybe even a mini ranch. The "Camargue" is the delta of the Rhone river as it meets the Mediterranean and has been a center of Provençal life for hundred of years. And the Flamingo??? Well, they like to "winter" in the Camargue so for those in the know Flamingos are quite Provençal...

Saveurs de Provence blend: Domaines des Bastidettes:
3 liter bag in a box
500 ml bottles/packed12
Jas de Camargue 250 ml cans. Packed 12.

Tasting notes harvest 2007- Domaine des Bastidettes "Saveurs de Provence" blend
Country: France
Region: Provence near Arles
Olive Cultivars: Aglandau, Salonenque, Cayon, and Koronéïki.
Tasting notes: Over all this is a light to medium oil, green in color. The nose is excellent and bright with green apples, fresh cut grass, and citrus overtones. The taste is buttery with hints of must, and olives. The pungency and bitterness are medium. The finish is long and multi flavored. There are no orgeneleptic flaws. This is excellent complex oil that will still show well into the 4th quarter.