The Bandol region of France is one of the oldest in the world. Many of the vines were planted 2,500 years ago by the early Romans. It was also one of the first wines of France to be shipped throughout the world due to the port of Marseille being close. Two hundred years ago it was not uncommon to find Bandol regions red wines as far away as India.
The Mourvèdre grape is the base of any Bandol red wine. This gives the red wines the body and spicy taste that is so highly prized in wines from the Bandol region.
Here are six of my favorite Bandol wines.
1) Domaine Tempier winery is located in Le Plan du Castellet. Their vineyards are huge in the Bandol region. They consume three communities Le Castellet, Le Beausset and La Cadière. Domaine Tempier produces AOC Bandol exclusively. They currently average 120,000 bottles annually.
I would suggest trying Bandol Rose Domaine Tempier 2006. This is a wonderfully rich flavored wine with strong berry overtones. A bottle retails for only $13.49.
2) Le Galantin winery offers Le Galantin Pascal Bandol le Galantin 2004 which is a wonderful Mourvèdre. The flavor is rich and full of a nice lush dark berry taste and spice.
This wine retails for $18.99 per bottle.
3) Domaine Bunan offers Domaines Bunan Bandol Mas de la Rouvière 1997 which is a very nice and acceptable Mourvèdre. This is a full bodied, spicy, deep berry tasting wine that has a fantastic finish and is a nice punch to your taste buds. It retails for $15.00 per bottle.
4) Domaine Bunan offers Domaines Bunan Bandol Château la Rouvière 2000 for only $24.00per bottle. This wonderful wine tastes like a very acceptable Mourvèdre. I can taste the spice and berry in each glass. I currently have one bottle of this wine left in my collection but I’m saving it for a special day. Perhaps we will enjoy it when the holidays roll around. If you enjoy a wine that if full bodied with a strong berry taste and a lot of spice then I know you will appreciate this Mourvèdre.
5) Domaine de l’Olivette winery offers a very nice Mourvèdre, Domaine de l’Olivette Bandol 2002. I can taste the strong berries and a lot of spice. The tannins are a bit strong but I enjoyed this wine. It retails for $20.19 per bottle.
6) La Bastide Blanche Winery has a very excellent Mourvèdre, La Bastide Blanche Bandol 2004 . This wine retails for $24.77. It tastes strongly of tannins with a wonderful fruit balance. This wine reaches out and kicks your taste buds into action. The spice is a wonderful way to finish.
All of these wines can be purchased at one of my favorite wine sites Snooth. This middleman retailer finds hard to locate wines. You can also put forth a wish list of wines that you hope they will be able to locate. They offer wonderful costumer service and there site is fantastic for sharing with other wine connoisseurs.
