Here is one for you Bandol-fans!

…but it is only a pinkie!!!

TN: `07 Domaine La Suffrene Bandol Rose.

Cedric Gravier, 5th generation, up-and-coming producer. $28 Cdn, good cork, Mourvedre 40%-Cinsault 30%-Grenache 20%-Carignon 10%.
Opened for an hour and as usual with this kinda wine decided not to serve too chilled. I want to taste what going on here!

Color. Tough but guess sort of deep brick brown. Sure not salmon!

Nose. Immediately on opening, floral meadow. Strawberry and fruit gums. Some herbal as it airs, very appealing.

Palate. Initial entry thought was white pepper, fresh, cranberry. Good length on the finish and nice fruit here. Not completely dry and shows well structured complexity. Not a tangy style like a previous vintage, " has a ripe berry fruit edge" from across the table. I usually think licorice when I taste mourvedre but maybe tomorrow when I finish off the bottle?
Have to think I expected more from this wine, now if I could find some Tempier!

I can recommend the 2008 Tempier Rose, which I had last night. It had a wonderful earthy, red-grape nose, and a lot of depth but with good acidity. Really a pleasure, and I’m not normally a big rose fan.

Well, the wine held up well overnight. Finish is not showing any licorice, just wish this was cheaper to buy!