Domaine Sorin Bandol Red 2011
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Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 85% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 5% Carignan
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Bandol (85% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 5% Carignan aged 16 months in oak) is an exceptional effort that has a perfumed, complex and rich personality. Showing ample sweet red fruits, saddle leather, cured meats and crushed flowers (with possibly some subtle hints of brett), it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, good mid-palate depth and fine tannin that emerges on the finish. Already approachable and delicious (which is a trait of the vintage), this beauty will continue to impress for over a decade.
Other Vintages
2012-
Wine
Enthusiast
The vineyard was taken over in 1994 by Luc Sorin, whom Robert Parker called one of the most exciting winegrowers the South of France has to offer. Sorin wines are found on the finest tables in the region, such as Louis XV in Monaco, le Cartlon in Cannes, and Chez Blanc in Vonnas.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
More than just a European vacation hotspot and rosé capital of the world, Provence, in southeastern France, is a coastal appellation producing interesting wines of all colors. The warm, breezy Mediterranean climate is ideal for grape growing and the diverse terrain and soil types allow for a variety of wine styles within the region. Adjacent to the Rhône Valley, Provence shares some characteristics with this northwestern neighbor—namely, the fierce mistral wind and the plentiful wild herbs (such as rosemary, lavender, juniper and thyme) often referred to as garrigue. The largest appellation here is Côtes de Provence, followed by Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence.
Provence is internationally acclaimed for dry, refreshing, pale-hued rosé wines, which make up the vast majority of the region’s production. These are typically blends, often dominated by Mourvèdre and supplemented by Grenache, Cinsault, Tibouren and other varieties.
A small amount of full-bodied, herbal white wine is made here—particularly from the Cassis appellation, of Clairette and Marsanne. Other white varieties used throughout Provence include Roussane, Sémillon, Vermentino (known locally as Rolle) and Ugni Blanc.
Perhaps the most interesting wines of the region, however, are the red wines of Bandol. Predominantly Mourvèdre, these are powerful, structured, and ageworthy wines with lush berry fruit and savory characteristics of earth and spice.