2001 Château de Pibarnon Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is showing some age but for those who like older wines, this is quite good.  It also has a nice rustic quality which seems to be standard for this producer.  Purple in color, flat but no real browning.  The nose has some volatile acidity along with plums, dust and slight black olives.  On the palate, this still has medium tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  There is some complexity and depth though not a ton.  Good finish.  This probably doesn't get better from here though it seems likely to stay at this level for a few more years at least.  It will work better at the table than on its own.

2013 Château de Pibarnon Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

Purple in color with ruby swirls.  Slight volatile acidity on the nose.  Plums, sour cherries, and slight black licorice.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Medium tannins.  This is still young but is delicious.  Plums and black cherries.  Long finish.  This will go well with stews or roasts or even Indian foods.  It is drinking well now but should easily have a decade left.  

2018 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 20% Cinsault.  Arguably the best Rose made today.  Certainly, it is right up there with a rich track record.  This vintage is another winner.  A salmon pink and copper color.  The nose is very pretty with watermelon along with a slight strawberry and a steely quality.  On the palate, this is light and crisp.  Slight tannins.  Slightly oily texture.  Strawberries and slight watermelon notes.  Supple.  This seems more rounded that some vintages.  Good finish.  This is very food friendly and will go with almost any food or on its own.  These are suppose

2018 Aime Roquesante Côtes de Provence Cuvée Sélectionnée, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019

This is a great value Rosé from Provence.  It comes in a "flute a corset Provençal" shaped bottle.  This wine is pink/orange in color.  It has a lovely nose of strawberries with some apricots and slight citrus.  On the palate, the strawberries come thru along with a bit of cherries.  This is clean and easy to drink.  very tasty.  It has a nice energy which will fade quickly.  Though this wine may last for a few years, it should be drunk now to best enjoy it.  It will drink well on its own or with lighter fare but will also work with ribs or other grilled foods in a refreshing way.   

2018 Bieler Père et Fils Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé Sabine, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$11.00USD

A very pretty Rosé from the heart of Provence.  52% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cinsault, and 3% Rolle.  Salmon pink in color.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight floral and strawberries.  On the palate, this is dry.  Slightly viscous.  Nice strawberry fruit.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This won't drink better than this but should be good for another year.  It goes well with lighter food and salads.  Great value.  

2018 Château Minuty Côtes de Provence Rosé et Or, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a higher end Rose that is a blend of Grenache and Tibouren grapes.   It is a very bright but light salmon pink color.  Quite an expressive nose of watermelon, strawberries along with slight grapefruit and just a touch of wintergreen.  On the palate, this is clean and steely.  Strawberries and peaches with slight tannins (unusual for a Rose).  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own but to really show its class, it needed some food.  It went amazingly well with a Watermelon, Feta and Mint salad.  While this probably will last a few years, the sooner you get to it, the more freshnes

2018 Château Minuty Côtes de Provence M, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$21.00USD

I don't know where you live, but here on the shores of Lake Erie, its been a wet, cool spring.  That might be good for the grapevines, but its put a bit of a damper on drinking outside.  But, it looks like we finally made it.  Time to open up some Rose!  This is a very attractively packaged rose from Provence.  A blend of  Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. It is quite pale pale salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  On the nose, this has lots of fresh strawberries, slight hint of orange peel and and a nice minerality.  On the palate, this has a bigger texture than it light color might lead o

2016 Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux-de-Provence, France, Languedoc, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This one comes in a unique shaped bottle.  It is drinking quite well today and should easily last for five more years.  Ruby/purple, clear and bright.  The nose is tight at first.  With air, some black raspberries and raspberries come out.  Also some floral qualities and some spice.  On the palate, this has nice black raspberry fruit.  Slight leather.  Medium tannins.  A bit dusty underneath.  Good finish.  Very food friendly.  At around $15, this is a very nice value.  

2016 Domaine Isle Saint Pierre Depuis 1927 Rouge, France, IGP Mediterranée

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+

This carries the Euro label of IGP or what used to be called Vin De Pays (VdP).  It is grown in the Provence are of France on an Island in the Rhone River.  It is a Bordeaux blend of grapes though certainly has a unique personality that is quite different.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty and earthy with some cherry fruit.  With air, some cloves emerge.  It is light bodied with tart cherries and cranberries.  Slight tannins.  A bit of anise on the finish.  At $9, this is a very nice value.  Food friendly for a wide variety of foods.  Very much a European styled wine but

Pages