WTN: Chateau Pibarnon 1996

Chateau Pibarnon 1996; red; AOC Bandol; 13% alc.

Upon opening, it fills the air with a fruity aroma. Very long cork, almost black on the business end! The bouquet shows dusty plum, a Syrah-like spiciness and perhaps a bit of turmeric. The color is red brick all the way across. After 24 hours of air time, the palate finally opens as rich in primary fruit flavors balanced by firm tannins and other acids. Decent finish with some length. Almost Bordeaux-like in its elegance. Still young! Will try it again in two or three years.

Dave Mo

It always amazes me that Bandol appears to be so unnoticed in various wine tasting circles. S France produces some terrific reds and lovers of the Mourvedre should try to search out this appellation. Otto and I are getting together this weekend to taste some Chateau Bunan on Open Mike so join us.

The owner of my favorite wine shop, Tuccas, in Davis turned me onto Bandol. I've got one cellared now. (He also turned me onto a feral CORSICAN wine that is not to everyone's taste, but....I like interesting wines, so...Another developing wine region, perhaps?)

Thanks Dave. Your note reminds me that I haven't had a Bandol in quite some time. Everything I have in my cellar are even more youthful than this '96 that you had so I may have to wait a while longer to give Bandol a go again.

It always amazes me that Bandol appears to be so unnoticed in various wine tasting circles. S France produces some terrific reds and lovers of the Mourvedre should try to search out this appellation. Otto and I are getting together this weekend to taste some Chateau Bunan on Open Mike so join us.

Mourvèdre oftens smells of s**t so of course as the resident coprophiliac I love the wines. It's just such a dashed shame that we so few of them. If we had more, you'd for sure hear more of this delightful region, lol!

Thanks for the note Dave! The plumminess that you noted had often in blind tastings made me (especially in the cases of Pibarnon and Tempier) go to Pomerol! I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one to get a slightly Bx feeling about some of these wines.