The brilliant color strongly recalls black cherries.
On the nose it displays an inviting aroma of red fruits, liquorice and pepper, with herby undertones.
In the mouth the wine is as agreeable as on the nose. On the palate and in the final a bit light, but with an enjoyable fruity underlying presence. The tannins are well blended and mouth-drying in a pleasant way.
The Bandol wine region is located in Provence, near the coast between Marseille and Toulon. Situated around the village of Bandol, the Bandol AOC covers the production of 8 communes with silicon and limestone soils.
This kind of soils and the warm, coastal climate offer ideal conditions for the late ripening Mourvèdre grape, which is the major variety of the region.
For both red and rosé wines, Mourvèdre must account for at least 50% of the blend, though most producers will use significantly more. Grenache and Cinsaut usually fill out the rest, but Carignan and Syrah often also play a role. The Bandol blancs are made predominantly from Clairette grapes.
Bandol is famous for its red wines, which make up the majority of the appellation’s output. Nonetheless, Bandol rosés, which account for about a third of the production, rank among the best of France.
This 2014 Domaine du Cagueloup Bandol Rouge, that I bought at Nicolas in Marseille for 15 EUR, is made with 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 10% Carignan. Before bottling, the wine rests for 18 months in big 50hl oak barrels, in a cellar located 7m underground. It is my first red Bandol wine ever, but I’m planning to taste some more in the future.
Country: France
Region: Provence
Grapes: Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan
Type: Red
Vintage: 2014
Producer: Domaine du Cagueloup
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5