Hello,
After a coq au vin as leftovers from yesterday, paired with a less than
perfect Pommard, we opened a second bottle, namely, a Bandol from Gros Noré.
This manages to combine a dry minerality with an almost jammy blackberry
perfume. On palate, quite stern, with well-structured tannines, a vintage
port fruitiness, and, I believe, an alcohol content superior to the one
displayed on the bottle (14.5 %). Notes of liquorice, and spicy herbs. I
would think that some of the grapes have been left on the vines to
supermaturate, slightly reminiscent of the offerings of Tour du Bon.
This wine has been very dour and unapproachable for several years but is now
blooming.
Cheers
Nils

Nils Gustaf Lindgren wrote:
> Hello,
> After a coq au vin as leftovers from yesterday, paired with a less than
> perfect Pommard, we opened a second bottle, namely, a Bandol from Gros
> Noré.
> This manages to combine a dry minerality with an almost jammy blackberry
> perfume. On palate, quite stern, with well-structured tannines, a
> vintage port fruitiness, and, I believe, an alcohol content superior to
> the one displayed on the bottle (14.5 %). Notes of liquorice, and spicy
> herbs. I would think that some of the grapes have been left on the vines
> to supermaturate, slightly reminiscent of the offerings of Tour du Bon.
> This wine has been very dour and unapproachable for several years but is
> now blooming.

Thanks for the note, Nils. I have a couple bottles of this secreted
downstairs in the cave. None other than the estimable M. Tommasi opined
years ago that '01 Bandols were surprisingly forward, but I have
resisted opening any of mine out of respect for the bite of young
Mourvedre tannins (once bit...) The fact that this is now blooming at a
mere 7 years of age does in fact seem to indicate any earlier-than-usual
drinkability. I'll still wait a while before cracking any of mine,
though. Any thoughts from you or other Bandolophiles on the '01
Terrebrune rouge?

Mark Lipton
--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.cwdjr.net

> Any thoughts from you or other Bandolophiles on the '01
> Terrebrune rouge?

Not from me, I'm afraid - we have no Terrebrune of any vintage
Cheers
Nils

> I should go see how his recent wines are. He is inconsistent but when he
> gets it right it is great.

Let me know. He did not appear too good last time we were there, in 2006 -
nor were we very enthusiastic about his more recent bottlings, I think we
bought three '01s out of courtesy, something I do not regret today!
Cheers
Nils