Winemaker Notes
To be served with a piece of beef as well as game or truffle dishes.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
This is a rich, aromatic and deliciously herbal wine full of structured black fruits and dense tannins that promise aging. Blackberry and plum flavors dominate, giving freshness and ripeness to this full wine. Drink from 2017.
-
Wine Spectator
A sleek style, with a core of cassis and plum sauce flavors lined with subtle leather, iron and tobacco notes. A touch of tarry grip extends the finish. Should unwind with a touch more cellaring. Mourvedre, Cinsault and Grenache. Drink now through 2024.
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.
Provence’s leader in concentrated and age-worthy red wines, Bandol is home to the dense, deep and earthy Mourvèdre grape. Like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Bandol produces characterful reds that, while approachable in their youth, are typically designed for the cellar.
Given its coastal, Provencal situation, Bandol also naturally produces an assortment of charming, aromatic rosés made of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault.