Hecht & Bannier Bandol

A powerful hit of ripe plum and blackberries hits the nose. Underneath there is some seeet oak and tobacco leaf. On the palate, more ripe to over ripe plums and blackberries, a touch of oregano and thyme, and a tiny bit of pepper. The tannins are soft and well integrated. There is a medium amount of acidity - enough to balance the sweetness of the fruit without dominating. This is a beautiful wine drinking really nicely right now. A nice …

After 2-hour decant: blackberries, tar, leather, garrigue with very balanced acidity and integrated fine-ground tannins. Long finish. Similar notes but finer tannins.

Beautiful, savory Bandol-earthy, minerals, and a hint of smoke (in a good way). It has aged well. Enjoyed with a lamb stew on a rainy fall evening. Contemplative, pleasurable-- all that is good about wine and a nice reminder that it doesn't always have to be a grand cru to be wonderful.

Ging so

Circumstances did not allow for the decant this sorely needs, so that said-- There's fair density here and it is still enjoyable now with appropriately assertive food (we had it with red sauce, and they worked well), but yes ideally you should wait on this. Found it on clearance for $20, and certainly a value at that price. Earth, bramble, dark rubies.

FWS Provence and Corsica tasting (La Caille) : Blend of mainly Mourverde with Cinsault and Grenache Still so tight, this probably needs another 5+ years to loosen up. Black fruit, black cherries, blackberries, also some lighter strawberry notes too. Also some fun herbal side of sage, rosemary and maybe tomato? Nice wine, but honestly still too young

Tasting with Elissa...then supper (The Lobby) : with steak frites...Broad and darkly fruity, quite fresh, pleasant

for the price ...

PnP. Full of dark berry; strong tannic finish. Needs more time or decant if opening now.