Tasting Notes, Wines of Provence; Sept. 28 2019

2018 Saint Andre de Figuiere ‘Valerie’ Blanc

Cotes de Provence

Regular Price $22.99

Sale price $17.99

A blend of 60% Ugni Blanc, 25% Rolle, 15% Sémillon, the wine is vinified and aged  entirely in stainless-steel tanks, maintaining its fresh flavors and bright acidity. There’s also a finishing hint of salinity due to the proximity of the vineyards to the Mediterranean. 

2018 Château Pradeaux Rosé

Cotes de Provence

Regular Price $27.99

Sale price $21.99

Typically, Provence rosé is bright and light and crisp and unassuming. Its quaffable and fresh. This rosé, however, from esteemed Bandol producer, Pradeau, is full and rich and bold. Still fresh, but it’s a serious wine that would impress the wine ‘expert’ down the street if he actually knew anything about wine.

2017 Clos Cibonne ‘Tentations’

Cotes de Provence

Regular Price $22.99 

Sale price $17.99

The Cibonne ‘Tentations’ is their introductory, negociant wine made of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and of course, the winery’s ancient staple Tibouren. Bright and fresh, with a base line of  dark berry and herbs, this is an incredibly versatile wine that will pair with anything is is perfect for a warm-ish Indian summer night

2018 La Bastide Blanche Rouge

Bandol

Regular Price $31.99

Sale price $24.99

2018 La Bastide Blanche Rouge

Comprised of 72% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 6% Cinsault, and the rest Syrah and Carignan, this is a full and ripe example of Bandol Rouge. Fruit forward, bold and lush with some notes of briarly underbrush, the wine represents an earlier drinking and more modern expression of Bandol

2013 Domaine de Terrebrune Rouge

Bandol

Regular Price $37.99

Sale price $29.99

Of 85% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, and 5% Cinsault there is a restraint and reticence about this wine that is at odds with the typical robust Bandol style. While still chewy and rustic, the wine also exhibits a salty freshness, likely from the vineyards perch along the Mediterranean coast. From 2013, its drinking beautifully now, but still has plenty of life remaining.


2017 Domaine Tempier Rouge

Bandol

Regular Price $59.99

Sale price $47.99

Lucien Peyraud inherited the estate from his father-in-law upon his marriage to Lulu in 1936, and soon began the work of establishing Bandol as its own A.O.C. with Mourvedre as the dominant grape reds (and rose) from there. Domaine Tempier has remained one of the iconic estates of Bandol and this deep and dense wine is thoroughly representative of the style of their wines. Age worthy, tannic and full-bodied, this blend of at least 70% Mourvedre will reward the patient.