Domaine Ott - Bandol '79

Last week I went to an excellent, very fancy, very costly restaurant near Bergamo (Italy) called Da Vittorio for my mom's 70th birthday. We had a lovely Chateau Trotanoy '96 which drank quite well (and cost my dad a pretty penny! I proposed it as the only worthwhile wine befitting such an important birthday but actually its one of my favorite Bordeaux chateaux!...shhhh)
After dinner the sommelier took us to see the cellar, a gorgeous cellar indeed, vaulted mini cupolas redone with old bricks. And what did I see, which wasn't on the wine list? A case of Domaine Ott Bandol from '79! My winegeek self shivered with curiosity and desire. Then I thought, doesn't Domaine Ott make that omnipresent overpriced rose'? How good can their Bandol be? I've never even seen an Ott Bandol.

Question: Could it be any good? Has anyone been to Domaine Ott? Do they still make Bandol? Is it any good? Etc.....I ask because I may go back and order it and considering the place, it won't come cheap no matter what (even though most Italians have no idea what Bandol is and would never order a 30 yr. old wine, so I would honestly be doing those guys a favor.)

I don't know what that vintage is like in Bandol but it sounds like something you should report on for the benefit of the larger wine-loving community!

Thanks a lot Rahsaan! Real helpful there!
Why don't you come drink it with me on your next trip to Milan?

I have never understood the price premium for Ott wines.

But I'm willing to have my eyes opened...

Frankly, I would only buy a 30 year-old Bandol at a knock-down price.
Too much of a risk otherwise.

Alex R.

Frankly, I would only buy a 30 year-old Bandol at a knock-down price.
Too much of a risk otherwise.

From the way people in here talk, Bandol has to be at least 30 yrs. old!

I've had Ott's Bandol rouge, though not with age. The oldest Bandols I've had have been 15-20, Pradeaux and Pibarons from the list at Crabtrees Kittle House, they had plenty of life left. If this is a quality restaurant, surely they wouldn't charge you if the bottle is totally shot? Unless they have an explicit disclaimer

From the way people in here talk, Bandol has to be at least 30 yrs. old!

That sounds like a bit much. And of course it all depends on personal preferences for wine.

Although I have nothing scheduled, I'll keep this in mind for my next trip to Milan!

I haven't had a wine from Domaines Ott for years but I note that my French guides consider them serious producers nowadays. Champagne Roederer has taken a controlling interest and have sent in Bordelais Denis Dubourdieu as consultant. Whether a Bordelais is helpful to making better Bandol or Côtes de Provence is naturally an open question.

This is, of course, not relevant to the 1979 Bandol; I would be inclined to take a punt on it if the price were reasonable given the risk with a bottle of that age and provenance. Wouldn't the sommelier also have some idea what it is like? He should be sampling from time to time to see if curiosities like this are worth trying to sell.