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This was a new wine for me to try.  Of all places, I had it tailgating at the Jets vs. Browns Monday Night game in NY (NJ).  Deep ruby in color, a bit lighter at the rim.  The nose is nice with cherries and slight dusty cigar box notes.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Medium bodied.  Plenty of cherry fruit with some underlying crushed leaves.  Some depth and complexity.  Good finish.  This works well with a wide variety of foods.  It seems at or at least close to peak.  It should have another five to seven years at this level.  

This seems to be a basic negoiant level wine.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and slight bell peppers.  A bit of dust.  On the palate, the cherries come thru.  Not green but not ripe either.  No tannins.  Easy drinking.  Worked well with middle eastern foods.  Drink now.  No idea on the pricing but if around $10, this is a fine value and probably better in 2015 or 2016.  

This is from the younger wines at Chateau Pavie (under 10 years old).  It is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries with a bit of cigar box.  On the palate, this is drinking well now.  Nice cherry fruit with a bit of cocoa and slight tobacco.  Not a lot of concentration or complexity but it is tasty.  Good acidity.  It seems as though this will be as good as this gets and thought it should do another five to ten years, the safer bet is to drink it now.  It will go well with stews and medium weight foods.  

It is always a pleasure to drink Chablis   Even more Grand Cru from a great vintage.  These are some of the best expressions of Chardonnay.  This was my second time being lucky enough to try this one.  It was pretty consistent,  This one was no exception,   Green/gold in color.  Shimmering bright.  The nose has plenty of green apples with a nice chalk/sea shell quality.  On the palate, this is ripe and broad.  It has a slightly oily texture which is a good thing.  More red apple with underlying chalk.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is still young and though ageing white Burgundies can b

A blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 26% Cinsault, and 4% Syrah.  This was part of a tasting that taught me that, more than most Bandol's, Tempier's will need plenty of cellar time to peak.  This was tasty now, but just felt like it was holding back.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is tight.  With air, some black cherries come out.  Eventually a bit of spice as well.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Very deep but tightly wound.  Black cherry fruit.  Plenty of tannins.  Long finish.  If drinking now give it a few hours in a decanter.  Otherwise cellar for ten more years.  This

Purple/ruby in color, slightly flat.  The nose seemed a bit off, perhaps storage.  It had a bit of aquarium going on.  Yet, there is also some black cherries and a bit of minerality.  On the palate, this is much better.  A pretty backbone of acidity.  Nice fresh cherry fruit.  Slight tannins.  Some complexity.  Long finish.  This is drinking about where one would expect at age 9.  It won't get better but should be at peak for the next five to seven years.  This will work with most meat or fowl based dishes or roasted veggies too.

Another new winery for me (which is always fun).  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, a charred earthiness and black olives.  On the palate this has light tannins, black cherry fruit with a nice back bone of acidity.  This is young but drinks well on its own.  It should gain some complexity.  Hold for a three years and drink over the next five to seven.  It will go well with stews and fowl.  

This is 75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, and 2% Carignan.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is tight.  Dusty with black cherries.  On the palate, this has a wonderful glycerin texture but is tight as a drum.  Not much fruit today.  Some slightly bitter notes.  With air some black cherries come out.  Shorter finish.  This keeps getting better with air so if drinking soon, give it a few hours in a decanter.  Better to wait five to ten more years on it.  All that said, it's perhaps harsh as the overall experience is still very pleasing.  It will need big food today to pair

This is young but what a beautiful Bandol.  Inky purple in color.  A lovely nose with black cherries, black olives and just a hint of funk.  On the palate, this is very lively.  Light tannins.  Medium bodied.  Great acidity.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  Depth but tight.  Long finish.  This is delicious now, but could easily show a point or two of improvement in three to five years as it develops.  Great on its own, it needs bigger foods to pair with now but that should broaden with age.  Easily has another decade of life.  

This is a big wine that is still not giving up much.  The question at age 12 is when, if ever, it will reach that optimum peak.  Purple in color.  The nose is very tight.  With air some black raspberries and black olives come out.  On the palate, this is very tannic.  Some black raspberry fruit with a bit of black licorice.  When the tannins finally integrate will there be any fruit left?  That is the key question.  It is a very good wine today, but is this as good as it gets?  Given the reputation of the winery, one hope for more.  Let's this sit for a while and check back in three to five