Top Bandol Producer

[Bill Hooper]

I know that Bandol has a few outstanding producers, but the most recognized are probably Pibarnon and Tempier. Who do you deem best?

[Carlo]

who.........?

educate me

[Bob Ross]

A waiter in the Midi eight years ago rated them as follows:

Château Pradeaux
Château Pibaron
Domaine Tempier

I've tasted a bunch of them -- I still agree.

Regards, Bob

[Jenise]

Bob, interesting ratings. The best Bandol I ever had was indeed a Pradeaux (a 92 drunk about two years ago), but I've never had another. Do you know La Suffrene? I picked up a bottle yesterday judging that it was from the better vintage (01) of the three available (Tempier and La Bastide Blanch from 02 and 03), and have no idea what's in store for me. One shouldn't judge from labels, but the label on this is sleek and modern like a high rise office building compared to the other two.

[Bob Ross]

I've never seen La Suffrene, Jenise. Although it's a clunky website and all in French, the pictures are lovely. Makes me want to go to the Midi. :-)

http://www.domaine-la-suffrene.com/

I'll look for the wine itself. Thanks for the tip -- maybe we will both be pleasantly surprised.

[Jenise]

Bob, indeed, nice website and like you (I'm staring into a fog bank at the moment) it made me want to get on a plane. Meet you for dinner!

Re the wine, I just now did some searching for comments on the internet. There are, like, NONE. No American wine lists, no Cellar Tracker notes, nothing. It's very popular in Amsterdam, though.

And I found this in the 2005 Decanter awards:

Silver
Domaine la Suffrene 2001
Bandol, Provence, Provence

(Red)
Opaque ruby, spicy garrigue nose, ripe, big fruit flavours, ripe baked plum and chocolate, just starting to show its potential
Not available in the UK

[Jenise]

Bill, which do you like best? And when are you getting to post a tasting note?

[Bob Ross]

I found a note or two from retailers, Jenise:

Domaine La Suffrene Bandol Rouge 2002
SKU: 1431204 Provence, France

This Bandol has a pleasant nose of black fruit, vanilla and herbs, with silky tannins in the mouth and rich chocolate and spice notes on the firm finish. This is a sexy wine with a great quality to price ratio. Price: $24.99. Wine Gallery, in Brookline MA, which has a pretty good rep.

And Tony Fletcher likes both the 1999 and the 2000: http://www.ijamming.net/Wine2005/2005WINEREVIEWS2.html

But, not much written that I've found. Regards, Bob

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

I don`t think that many realize that Keith`s post ( the main forum) on the Hampshire offline UK, is a Bandol tasting. Some wonderful wines tasted there, go looksie!!

[Bill Hooper]

Bill, which do you like best? And when are you getting to post a tasting note?

I'm an off-vintage Pibarnon man myself. I did drink an O.G. Tempier 2003 the other day which didn't much merit a TN at this stage -all punchy fruit and sandpaper tannins. As for a real TN, Soon...


Prost!
Bill