Bandol

Talk about the unheard of AOC. I had my first Bandol recently and I think I'm in love. Power and finesse in a bottle. It was a tempier that did me in, but thankfully I have access to a few other Bandols in Alberta and maybe I'll have some interesting tasting notes to share over the next while. I will be interested to see how the others compare to tempier and how much I see of the Bandol mourvedre varietal and terroir.

Bryan

Bryan, you in Calgary? If so, visit the Wine Cellar (no connection) as they have fair selection indeed!

I love Bandol, also! Can you get Dom. Bunan there? I think they also make a nice example (and cheaper usually than Tempier!). Oh, and don't forget Bandol rosé, which rocks!

-O

Ah mourvedre from Bandol. Yum. Be sure to try the various Domaine Tempier bottlings as they are quite different one from another. La Migoua is my favorite, but other friends prefer the other small vineyard bottlings. All the best, Jim

[Robin Garr]

I had my first Bandol recently and I think I'm in love.

It should be noted that Bandol at its best requires considerable cellar time, although in a good vintage it can be hard to keep hands off! Tempier is probably the leader of the pack, but Pibarnon, St. Anne d'Evenos and lots more can be excellent, too.

I'm not sure that any other Mourvedre comes close, and fruit-forward New World Mourvedres can seem downright wacky once you've been bitten by the Bandol bug. Still, it can be fun to experiment ...

Yes, I've read that a Bandol mourvedre needs time, and I could certainly sense that when I had the 04 Tempier. It was the regular cuvee, called the Domain or Classic, which is supposed to be the most approachable Tempier. And it was pretty approachable, because I did fall in love with it. However, I believe it is the bottle that Gary V tasted during the Bandol show he did a while back and which he didn't particularly like. Which means that perhaps what I fell in love with isn't the best example, and there is even more upside to Bandol coming my way, which I find very exciting. I bought another of the regular cuvee plus one La Migoua and both are going to be put away for several years. I'm looking for other Bandol that is less expensive and drinkable now so I can continue to explore the wines of this area that I'm really getting off on. I also recently purchased a couple of Spanish mourvedre wines that local wine merchants tell me should be in the ball park of a Bandol.

Bryan

Bryan, you in Calgary? If so, visit the Wine Cellar (no connection) as they have fair selection indeed!

Howdy Bob. Yes, I'm in Calgary and I know the wine cellar has a somewhat interesting Bandol selection of lesser known estates, which is pretty fortunate for me considering how this wine region flies under the radar like it does and isn't that accessible by any stretch. The wine cellar in Calgary doesn't have the same selection that Edmonton has. I'm going to visit my second favourite AB city for Easter (I have lots of family there) and plan on purchasing some Sorin Bandol from the wine cellar. And just in case you did not know this, Cost Plus on Jasper Ave has two different red Bandol from Bunan (both $30) which I understand to be a decent QPR Bandol. In fact, if you've had Bunan, I'd like to know your thoughts. Or the Sorin or La Suffrene from the wine cellar. When it comes to Bandol, clearly Edmonton rocks compared to Calgary.

Bryan

The Bunan selection rocks but am still cellaring the `99..woa!! They are all quite tannic in their youth eh.

Sorin and Suffrene (look for the white) have been known to pass thro the palate, especially their terrific Rose!! When next in town, email me first and we can meet at Rics Grill downtown (after you have visited DeVine Wines down the street). I will be around for Easter.

Bob

The Bunan selection rocks but am still cellaring the `99..woa!! They are all quite tannic in their youth eh.

Sorin and Suffrene (look for the white) have been known to pass thro the palate, especially their terrific Rose!! When next in town, email me first and we can meet at Rics Grill downtown (after you have visited DeVine Wines down the street). I will be around for Easter.

Bob

Thanks for the feedback on the Bandol's up there. The two available Bunan's at Cost Plus is '01 so at least it's got a little age on it. Anyway, I'll definitely be buying to both drink now and put down for later and I will want all of the reds and roses that are available, and wouldn't mind a white too. And if the reds don't drink so well now, I don't mind. I won't waste too many by drinking them to early - just want to taste one or two now....

Don't know that I'll be going to Devine this time. I have to focus on Bandol while I'm up there, and the budget is 100% allocated to Bandol. I can't afford to be distracted with temptations from Devine, as much as I'd like to see what Devine has for rare, different, affordable southern Rhones that I have been searching for.

Bob, what are the best places in Edmonton that have nice wines by the glass? Preferably at least one Rhone by the glass, or at least a decent selection of southern France by the glass. I know in Calgary I'd go to Divino, Tribune, Brava, Livingroom because they know their wines and serve a number by the glass. The only thing I know about Rics Grill is my beloved Oilers hang out there. And the website is down so I can't see the wine list.

Bryan

Edmonton wine setup.

Tzin, next door to Devinewines. Nice winebar, great selection.
Rics Grill downtown, same street as above.
Hardware Grill...Jasper/97 st.
Jacks Grill, close to Southgate
Blue Pear, restaurant only but terrific wine list. 482-7178. Close to 124st and 107 ave.

Bob