2015 Domaine du Gros 'Noré Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

This was tasted blind with a monthly tasting group. It came in first place. When we did a similar tasting a few years back, it also came in first place. While, I did not have it in first place, it is an excellent wine and a great value. A Kermit Lynch import. Purple in color, slightly flat. The nose is very fresh. Cherries, slight root beer and the slightest bit of volatile acidity. It has a wonderful texture on the palate. Black raspberry fruit. Firm tannins. Nice depth although tight. A long finish. This drinks great on its own and will work with heavier meats or fowl. This may get better but either way, it should be good for a decade.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2015

Current Price:

$36.00USD

2015 Chateau Val D'Arenc Fontbrune Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$19.00USD

This was a new house for me. In a blind tasting, it was the groups #2 wine. While it did not rank quite that high for me, it is an outstanding wine to be sure. A blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 15% Cinsault, and 15% Grenache. Purple in color with some ruby swirls. Bright. The nose has a cherry sweet tart quality. Also fresh cherries and sour cherries. Slight earthiness with a touch of volatile acidity. On the palate, this has a slick texture. Slight tannins. Black cherry fruit. Medium finish. This may still improve a bit as it is still young. It should easily have five to seven more y

2010 Domaine de la Tour du Bon Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$22.00USD

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.

2015 Domaine de la Begude Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$55.00USD

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.

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

Vintage:

2001

Score:

Grade:

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.

2016 Domaine Tempier Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$45.00USD

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

2015 Domaine du Gros 'Noré Bandol, France, Provence, Wine Review

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