December 10, 2022 - Full, seamless, smooth. Steady over 3 hrs. First impression - pleasant tobacco, berry fruit. A wonderful experience.
October 11, 2017 - 1985 CHATEAU PRADEAUX BANDOL- Mourvedre; no typical musty, rustic notes here for aged Mourvedre, this was all about tasty pleasure; following the great aromatics, the taste profile included nicely spiced and peppered lightly sweetened black cherry/ berry fruit which persisted throughout the entire experience and it was an experience.
November 10, 2013 - Nez de Châteauneuf, mais bouche qui fait bordelaise, ce qui m'a enligné sur Bandol. Étonnant pour un vin du sud avec ce côté sérieux, jeunesse insolente.
November 7, 2013 - Souper à l'Os avec Gaël, Ludwig et Alain: Un nez d'épices, de viande et de cuir qui évoquait un vieux Châteauneuf.
Mais la finale est minérale et droite, mine de crayon, quasi bordelaise. Austère, droit, un vin intellectuel. Bonne vigueur, peu de charme, mais très intéressant. 88-89 pts
September 12, 2009 - Fun wine. Pure red fruits don't suggest Mourvedre at all. Still very tannic of the firmer grape rather than wood variety - these actually dominate the finish. A bit simple, but definitely enjoyable.
July 14, 2009 - Bastille Day at Chateauneuf-du-Joe's. (Dougherty's): Surprisingly clean nose here for an old Bandol. Mostly sweet black fruit, spice and worn wood, but the wine picks up a beautiful tobacco note and shows a briny quality. Raynolds mentions the property is right by the sea and really does impact the wine. It's more tertiary on the palate than the nose would lead you to believe it is and there's a nice seaweed/iodine character to it. Softened, though still nicely rustic. Just great with the lamb. A-/B+.
October 16, 2006 - Deep red. Farmyard smells,black fruits and olives,Lovely black fruits,creamy texture,supple and elegant wine,nice long finish.Once again thought this wine was much younger.Very Good/outstanding
January 20, 2006 - Was really great! I'll save my other bottle, as this wine has a long life to go.
December 14, 1997 - Surprisingly mellow, not as hard and tannic as one would expect from a Bandol. Deep colour, lots of fruit, very long.