Doing some cellar “rearranging” (mostly Rhone/Tempier,, yep, found a box of mostly 1995s of the latter!!) in the cellar this past hour or so (why am I sweating like a greased old man pig?? Oh yeah, because I’m f’n old!!!) — anyway, moving a dozen ++ boxes or so yielded some interesting wines, some older Eric Texier Brezeme VV (2001?), some CdPs which I’ll post another day, and a bunch of 1995 Domaine Tempier, all of which we’ll try and post!! And, specifically, 1990 Clos des Papes CdP, hopefully they’re still rocking!!!
Anyway, this 2020 South African Syrah is quite fine (I think my first South African Syrah ever, so please be gentle @Dave), lovely redfruits, clean, balanced, medium-bodied, longish finish, quite good, actually!?!! — 2 months ago
Opened about an hour in advance of dinner and enjoyed over the course of several hours alongside the 2019 La Tourtine and 2020 Lulu & Lucien. No formal notes. The 2017 La Migoua is a veritable bank vault. The darkest of fruits and a mountain of structure. Like every other La Migoua I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing, this requires decades of time to uncoil. Keep this is the deepest, darkest part of your cellar for years to come. To my palate, I would probably hold until 2032 and then enjoy through 2057. — 8 days ago
Salmon color with copper reflexes. Nose of grapefruit, and Mandarin peel, lemon juice, pink flowers, and petrichor. Faint Aperol on the back. Palate is explosive but not effusive. More grapefruit oil, lemon pith, garrigue, waves of saline minerality and a bright acidity that makes it go on and on. Pretty serious argument on why it deserves its reputation is the best rosé in the world  — 2 months ago
The colour is a surprisingly a youthful deep Ruby with purple tinges considering its 17 years of age. Dusty plum and herbal aromas. Ultra savoury on the medium bodied palate. An excellent example of perhaps the best terroir for Mourvèdre - Provence. Jancis’s drinking window was 2010 to 2020 which proves yet again how drinking windows are an inexact science considering that this wine was still kicking goals in 2025. — 3 months ago
Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours alongside the 2017 La Migoua and 2019 La Tourtine. No formal notes. At this juncture, despite being the youngest, the 2020 “Lulu & Lucien” (formerly labeled as their standard Bandol Rouge) is the most open and freshest of the three. Delicious with traditional cassoulet. Definitely something that can be appreciated now through 2035. — 8 days ago
God tier wine! When Jesus turned water into wine, this is what I imagine he made. Desecrated fruit on the nose, taking me to the depths. Cherry notes, high acidity, high tannins, like licking the lacquer off a wooden table but you like it — 2 months ago
Hard to not stop and rethink the smell, flavor and taste on this one… — 2 months ago
Decanted for 7h.
Nice aromatics of spices & leather. As expected, fruitless. Brilliant purity here with freshness & precision
Pure, austere & linear on the palate. With a firm tannic frame and brilliant, juicy acidity. Love the precision and the (firm) frame.
The complete opposite of plum & plush Languedoc or Rhone, but so nice.
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love Bandol! — 4 months ago
Jay Kline

Opened about an hour in advance of dinner and enjoyed over the course of several hours alongside the 2017 La Migoua and 2020 Lulu & Lucien. No formal notes. The 2019 La Tourtine is phenomenal. Surprisingly more open than expected but still showing its youth with everything still primary. On this night, to my palate, it was far and away the most impressive of the three. It had a streak of dried herbs and smoked meat that was really attractive. Structure for dayzzzz. Baller stuff with traditional cassoulet. Drink now with patience through 2044. — 8 days ago