All wines below are red except as otherwise indicated.
La BARGEMONE/Marina et Ch. GARIN
2016 Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Cuvée Marina rosé
This is a harmonious and typical Provence rosé with strawberry aromas and flavors, good minerality and intensity, and relatively lightness on the palate. 13% stated alcohol. 87/A-
Domaine La BASTIDE BLANCHE/BRONZO
2015 Bandol
This wine shows good density to go with iodide and dark fruit flavors. It’s still tannic, but one can drink it now. Good length and sufficient acidity here. Made from 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, and Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan. Entirely destemmed. 91/A-
2013 Bandol Cuvée Fontanéou
Here we have 90% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache on red clay soils with a northern exposure. The result is an exceptionally good Bandol for the 2013 vintage. The wine is elegant and long with finesse to its earthy dark fruits. 92/A
2014 Bandol Cuvée Estagnol
Like the previous wine, this is exceptionally good for its vintage. It’s about 90% from Mourvèdre facing full south. This wine is dense and riper than the previous, but not overripe. It shows dark fruits, tannins, and good overall balance. It should age quite well for several decades. 92/A
Domaine de FONDRÈCHE/Nanou BARTHÉLEMY & Sébastien VINCENTI
2016 Ventoux blanc
This is a crisp, medium-weight wine with some minerality, good for aperitif, first courses, and fish dishes. 13% stated alcohol. 87/B+
Domaine les FOUQUES/Yves, Michelle GROS et leur fille Christelle
2016 Côtes de Provence Cuvée de l’Aubigue rosé
Made from Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah, this wine is light and nervy with some body and light strawberry fruit. An excellent wine for the heat this summer. Certified organic and biodynamic. 13.5% stated alcohol. 86/B
Le GALANTIN/Famille Pascal ACHILLE
2017 Bandol rosé
When it comes to value for your money, Le Galantin consistently is in the top tier for Bandol, both in red and in rosé (I’ve never tasted the white). This wine is light and nervy with well-defined, mineral peach aromas and flavors, and a completely dry finish. 50% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 25% Cinsault. 14% stated alcohol. Lot LG217. 90/A
Domaine de l’ORATOIRE ST-MARTIN/Frédéric et François ALARY
2015 Cairanne Réserve des Seigneurs
This is a dark-fruited, medium-weighted wine with a velvet texture and some tannins. Cairanne has a substantial portion of Mourvèdre, and it shows here in the texture and fruit. Certified organic and biodynamic. Lot LR 15. 14.5% stated alcohol. 87(+)/B+