G2 South of France tasting

As always, we prepared and exchanged samples in the morning, and did the tasting late afternoon. Samples were prepared straight from bottle, without aeration or decanting.

• 1982 Moulin de la Roque Bandol 88 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Wine 1 of 7. A blend of approximately 60% Mourvèdre and 40% Grenache. Medium garnet colour. Developed nose. Red fruit, herbal notes, cedar, leather, pipe tobacco and spices, with medium-level acidity. The tannin is mostly resolved, and only shows on the lightly feral, lightly furry and very slightly drying finish. Medium- to light-bodied, with some old age sweetness. The fruit is upfront, and the palate thins out through the middle and end, but the wine is very drinkable. Mostly consistent if a little more drying on the finish on day two, and still enjoyable but more balsamic on day three. Drink up.

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• 2005 Domaine de Fontenille Luberon 87 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Luberon

  Wine 2 of 7. A blend of Syrah and Grenache. 13% ABV. Medium ruby colour. Red fruit and herbal notes are joined by hints of coffee, chocolate and tobacco, with lively acidity, medium-grained tannin, and average length. The medium-bodied wine has limited concentration and complexity, but drinks quite well (at least on day one). More feral, more bitter and more drying from day two. A good lunch-time wine. Drink now.

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• 2006 Château Fontvert Luberon Collet de Pierrouret 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Luberon

  Wine 3 of 7. 99% Syrah. From old vines. Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels. 13.5% ABV. Medium to dark ruby colour. Expressive nose, the aromas jump out of the glass. Red and dark fruit, herbal notes, intense spice, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, and light feral notes, with medium-level acidity, medium-grained tannin, and very good length. Well-balanced, and very persistent. The tannin is lightly drying on day one, and is better integrated and rounder on day two. A good Luberon, superior to the first two wines in this lineup. That said, the French oak shows, more than I typically like, in particular from day two. Drink or hold.

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• 2005 Domaine de L'Hermitage Bandol 92 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Wine 4 of 7. A blend of approximately 80% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache. From old vines. 14% ABV. Medium garnet colour. Red and dark fruit, herbaceous notes, tobacco, and spices, with good, lively acidity, only partly resolved but well integrated tannin, and very good length. The wine initially shows Mourvèdre rusticity, but in a charming way, and then becomes smooth and creamy with aeration. Very well-balanced and harmonious on day two. And then, pure harmony on day three! I found it hard to keep my hands off the wine and kept coming back to the glass.

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• 2007 Château Fontvert Luberon Le Mourre Nègre 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Luberon

  Wine 5 of 7. A blend of 99% Mourvèdre and 1% Syrah. Red and dark fruit, herbal notes, chocolate, and spices. Very closed on day one. More accessible on day two, balanced, and very well structured. Still tight but very harmonious with ultra-fine tannin on day three. An outstanding, very structured wine that needs extended aeration, or, preferably, another 5+ years in the cellar.

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• 2004 Domaine Tempier Bandol La Tourtine 94 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Wine 6 of 7. 85% Mourvèdre, plus Grenache and Cinsault. From old vines. 15% ABV. Dark garnet colour. Stinky, feral nose. Dark fruit, dark chocolate, light coffee, complex herbaceous notes, and spices, with good acidity and grippy, medium-grained tannin. Dense and concentrated, and very long. No signs of the high alcohol. Great structure! More balsamic by day three. Great wine.

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• 2015 Saronsberg Mourvèdre 92 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region

  Wine 7 of 7. 100% Mourvèdre. 16% ABV. Sweet dark fruit, blueberry, intense dark chocolate, coffee, spices, and menthol are joined by Earl Grey tea on the finish, with good acidity, ripe tannin, and very good length. Full-bodied, ripe and smooth, in particular for Mourvèdre. The typical Mourvèdre rusticity only shows on the finish which ultimately gives the varietal away, but in a good way. I guessed Australia, and for good reason… Not my preferred style of wine, but outstanding in its category.

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It was very interesting to taste these wines from Bandol and Luberon side by side since the tasting highlighted aromatic similarities of these wines in their herbal, chocolaty and feral notes. Tempier's La Tourtine stood out, but over three days the Fontvert Le Mourre Negre came in as a close second, and outperformed on day three.