Another Provence Bandol

Another Provence Bandol:

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol AOC 2006 14.5% alcohol about $22

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. 92 points Wine Spectator: "A powerful red, with intense red and dark fruit flavors, including fig, dark plum and raspberry. Formidable tannins and acidity support the finish, which is infused with notes of baker's chocolate and black olive. Best from 2011 through 2015." (12/09) In the early '70s Michel and Louis Bronzo acquired the property of the Bastide Blanche, with the goal of producing top Bandol wines to rival their more famous cousins in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Their painstaking efforts were rewarded in 1993 when vintage conditions created the benchmark year that put both Bandol and Domaine de la Bastide-Blanche on the map. The brothers Bronzo have several cuvees, depending on the vintage, however, they always use a minimum of 75% mourvedre. Yields are kept very low, and never exceed more than 34 or 35 hl/ha. And now for my review.

At the first sips I tasted tobacco. The wine was very round and dark with great balance. The first meal involved London Broil meat, potato patties, and green beans all slow cooked together. The taste of chocolate came to the fore. The Bandol was very powerful and almost chewy. The wine had great balance between its acidity and tannins. Take my advice, don’t drink this Bandol with a sole poached in fine herbs.

This review of a Provence Bandol continues on my website.