Bandol Mourvedre Blend

Tastes like press wine. SS

Considered a benchmark for the region, Château de Pibarnon crafts a simply extraordinary Bandol Rouge. Enjoying this slowly over the last three hours, my tasting notes change with every sip. At first it was game and anise, later dried violets and marzipan. Now, as my glass nears empty, it tastes of crushed rocks, iodine, leather, fresh figs, and dark chocolate. The textural complexities have too evolved with time - softening from its initial tannic austerity to an ethereal elegance. Luckily, two-thirds of the bottle remain, and I can’t wait to see what this wine has to say tomorrow. 90% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache.

Really open and nuanced. All of the other 2013 Bandol I tasted today were still locked up. Yet this seems to have the structure and stuffing (and track record) for long aging.

So awesome I could not wait to crack it open until we went home.

Once it opens up, basically overnight, it’s delicious. Deep tannins that don’t overshadow

Spicy nose bright dry prune and pepper.

Nose of barnyard, not really appealing. Needs a long aeration before stabilising. The palate is much more interesting with a strong density, rich range of savours. Plum, cherry, blackberry, olive, meat... a strong acid backbone makes the wine very long. The finish is interesting with small forest berries notes. Should have put it in a decanter for 3 hours at least.

Good Christmas sauce

Great late Sunday evening easy drink on a slightly chilly night

There is an element of blunt force trauma with this wine. Day 2 was far more approachable.