Domaines Bunan, Cotes de Provence 2006 The nose is very lively with fruit, as in some whole berries in the fermentation amping up the fruitiness. This follows through in mouth with ample acidity and ripe tannins - nice. Mis en bouteille by the Bunan family in La Cadiere d’Azur in the heart of Bandol 13.5% [...]

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Domaine de Trevallon, Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone 2005 The nose sports the sort of lively, jammy fruit that we associate with California Zinfandel. Obviously it’s not, but its the intensity of the fruit that I trying to get at. With this, you have the green essences of Cab in a green pepper [...]

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La Bastide Blanche, Bandol 2006 The fruit has a jammy character, a bit liquer-like accentuated by the parfume of sweet flowers. In the mouth, the black fruits are ripe and the tannins are too, showing themselves in a velvety way - very nice. The vines are planted to 60% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache and 15% Cinsault. [...]

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Domaine Tempier, Bandol, Rose 2007 The nose is clean and full of candied fruit, like those watermelon candies you might have eaten when you were little. The feel in the mouth is thick and low acid, a rich and slightly warm style of rose. The wine is about half Mourvedre with the balance being Grenache, [...]

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Peyrassol, Vin de Pays Portes de Mediterranee 2006 The fruit is quite overt with a little touch of enamel and oak. In the mouth this is an easy drink, a bit like a California jug wine. I don’t mean this in a bad way. Like Charles Shaw provides inexpensive, fruit driven wine with hints of [...]

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Domaine de Triennes, Vin de Pays du Var, Sainte Fleur, Viognier 2006 The ‘05 was a bit alcoholic, though that is often tolerated in Viognier. This bottle, the ‘06 has some sense of that in the mouth but more than enough vivacious fruit to offset it. The apricot and pineapple flavors go on and on. [...]

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Domaine Tempier, Bandol 2005 The black fruit is blended with herbs of the region, fresh from the landscape and an element of meat on the grill. In the mouth there is lots of fruit wrapped up in tannic youthfulness. The balance is there in the concentration of the wine to the amount of tannin. [...]

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Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Rose 2007 The fresh fruit is evident in this low acid rose. This estate was farming organically before many jumped on board and all of the wines are today certified organic. The 2007 rose is about 60% Grenache with a medley of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Cabernet [...]

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Jade Mountain California La Provencale 2004
Previous notes show the wine as complex and oaky though the 2nd bottle earlier in the year seemed a little alcoholic. Tonight’s bottle is very supple again and I don’t think most people would notice the alcohol. This is a blend of Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah. P&B in Napa 15.2% [...]

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