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DOMAINE MATHA
 If I tell you this is made due east of the Cahors region, you might have a
slight clue as to where in the world I'm talking about.
If I add it's a tad north of
the region of Gaillac (and Toulouse), that might help. Slightly.
The
appellation is "Marcillac" and it covers a mere 140 hectares of vines. The
area used to be more thickly carpeted with vines, having 28 times the area in vineyards (a
hundred years ago) as it does today!
We have a lovely wine of this appellation, made by a guy who is a real character!
He was studying for the priesthood when he said, "Oh God! No!!!"
Brother Jean-Luc
I understand Jean-Luc Matha also learned how to be a clown (there are many of us
practicing this 'art' who are, coincidentally, in the wine business). Now he's a
famous, leading producer of a French wine even most French haven't heard of.
The grape variety in this region is Mansois.
You might know this variety under another name, that of "Fer Servadou."
I'd be surprised if you did!
Matha makes two wines of Mansois. We have a delicious offering which
is bright, raspberryish and with a hint of a spicy, peppery note. The locals
describe it as red pepper, not black.
Matha has been a leader in reducing yields in an effort to obtain more fragrance and
flavor. He also de-stems the grapes, wanting to avoid bitter tannins. The
2006 vintage, though youthful, is delicious now. It may be the best
we've tasted from Jean-Luc. We like this served at cool cellar temperature and it pairs well with
grilled sausages enhanced by a fiery mustard (I like the French "Amora"
brand or Colman's English...both are nuclear mustards!).
Mrs. and Mr. Jean-Luc Matha...
- Currently in stock: 2006 Jean-Luc Matha Marcillac $11.99
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CHÂTEAU SALETTES
 This
modest-sized estate is east of Marseille and west of Toulon near the town of
La Cadière d'Azur. The property has been owned by the Boyer family
for 16 generations, so they've had a few years to think about grape growing
and winemaking.
The property encompasses some 40 hectares of vines, predominantly, of
course, Mourvèdre. Half of their production is in rosé, 45% red and
5% white wine.
We have a 2004 Bandol Rouge which is remarkably elegant and nicely
balanced. The wine has a small percentage of Grenache...just enough to
contribute a note of complexity to the aromatics and round out the tannins a
bit. The wine spent about a year and a half in wood and now it's had
a bit of time in bottle to develop...it's exceptional presently with Provençal
cuisine, so a leg of lamb studded with garlic and rosemary would be ideal.
- Currently in stock: 2004 CHÂTEAU SALETTES Bandol Rouge $37.99
DOMAINE TEMPIER
 The Tempier
name has been associated with Bandol wines since the 1830s. The
property was a viable vineyard into the late 1920s when it was replanted
with with fruit trees.
In the 1930s, Lucie Tempier married Lucien Peyraud. Her father, aside
from owning the orchards, was in the leather goods business. His
grandfather was a gunsmith, while his father sold silk, but Lucien had been
bitten by the wine 'bug' and studied agriculture in Provence. The
couple settled on the Tempier estate by 1940 and in 1943 the first wine, a
Rosé, was bottled. The rest, as they say, is history.
A California wine importer did a fabulous job in promoting their wines and
here in the San Francisco Bay Area, the name Tempier is synonymous with
Bandol.
We'd read about the great Bandols from Tempier during the 1980s and 1990s,
but we recall the wines were often a bit odd, sometimes fizzy and
strange. It was claimed by some that the wine's instability may have
been due to the bottling demands made by the local importer (who also is allergic
to wines which have been filtered).
Now in the 21st century, the wines we've tasted of Tempier have been
uniformly good and of sound quality.
Of course, Bandol wines are based on the Mourvèdre grape. This is a
variety which tends to make hearty, robust and fairly tannic red
wines. And that's the nature of Tempier's Bandol.
We have their Classic bottling in stock. This is roughly 75% Mourvèdre,
with a bit of Grenache, Cinsault and a dollop of Carignan. The wine
strikes us as being better balanced than the rustic wines of Bandol from
years ago. The 2006 will pair handsomely with braised lamb shanks,
hearty stews or roasts or perhaps duck.
The Rosé has been a delight, though we understand the importer is hoarding
this vintage and not interested in parting with some bottles. We found
another Bandol Rosé, though, and it's quite good and about half the price
of Tempier's.
Currently in stock: 2006 TEMPIER BANDOL ROUGE $37.99
- CLOS LA COUTALE
 The
wines of the Cahors region should be better known. Given that so many
people buy Malbec wines from Argentina, it's probably a good idea to know
the wines from what is the "reference point."
Such is the competition in the wine market, the vignerons of Cahors demanded
the law change to allow them to identify the wines on the label as
"Malbec." You may know the wines of Cahors are made of
Malbec predominantly, but the average wine-drinker is unaware of the
association between the Cahors appellation and the Malbec grape.
Clos La Coutale is a 45 hectare estate just a few miles west of the town of
Cahors. Owned by Valmy Bernde & his son Philippe, their vines
average about 25 years of age. The vineyard is comprised of about 70%
Malbec, with the balance split between Merlot and Tannat.
Their 2007 Cahors is a nice expression of Malbec. The wine is
medium-bodied, but not especially tannic or harsh. Although
there are Cahors wines which are lavishly oaked to the point you can't
distinguish what sort of wine you're drinking, this isn't one of them!
You'll find some dark fruit notes on the nose and palate. The wine is
smooth enough to pair with a savory chicken dish, but big enough to stand up
to lamb, duck or beef dishes, too.
Currently in stock: 2007 CLOS LA COUTALE CAHORS $14.99
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DOMAINES OTT, etc.
 The Ott name
originates in Alsace, but today it is one of the most famed in
Provence. Marcel Ott's little foray to sunnier climes in the south of
France have been bearing fruit for several generations.
We have carried their wines for a number of years as they are rather a
benchmark for this region. Tourists immediately identify the wines
which come in distinctive bottles, as they have consumed these during their
memorable vacation to France.
The reason the firm is "Domaines Ott" is that there are several
properties, not merely one.
From the Château de Selle we have what many people feel is the leading rosé
in France, the famed Coeur de Grain. This is a blend of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Grenache and Cinsault. It is even matured in wood, though
you will be hard-pressed to find a note of oak in the wine. I have
tasted it numerous times and can tell you it never made "sense" to
me paying so much for a rosé until Bob served it with his magnificent Bouillabaisse.
It suddenly took on much more depth and character. I can only imagine
what this must taste like on its home turf! (No wonder people will pay
serious money for this wine!)-
- Château Romassan is their Bandol estate. The 2001 vintage is
currently available, a medium-full bodied red with some meaty notes on the
nose and palate. It shows best when partnered with lamb or duck.
Mourvèdre, of course, is the main grape.
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- Currently in stock: Ott 2008 (Château de Selle) Rosé $37.99
Ott 2001 (Château Romassan) Bandol $46.99
MAS GRAND PLAGNIOL
 The Mas
des Bressandes estate sells its wines through a particular national US
importer...we buy their wines under another label, Mas Grand Plagniol.
The estate is owned by the Mars family. Cyril runs the place, taking
over for his father a few years ago. He married the gal next door at
Mas Carlot.
The current vintage of red wine is delicious...lots of red fruit notes and a
touch of spice. We think it's a blend of Grenache and Syrah. Best
served at cool cellar temp, so setting it in the 'fridge for an hour is about
right, especially in the hot summer weather.
- Currently in stock: 2008 MAS GRAND PLAGNIOL RED $11.99
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DOMAINE DE TOUR DE BON
 This
modest estate is making some very good Bandol wines.
The 2004 is terrific, a wonderful expression of the appellation and of the Mourvèdre
grape. This vintage is 55% Mourvèdre, 35% Grenache and 10%
Cinsault.
Their vines are rather low-yielding and the resulting wine has a level of
concentration you might not expect for a rather reasonable price.
The wine is bottled without fining or filtering, so if you cellar some
bottles of the 2004 (and this is a vintage which will handsomely repay a few
additional years in bottle), expect to decant the wine.
If you're having a rosemary & garlic-seasoned leg of lamb, this will be
a wonderful accompaniment.
Currently in stock: 2004 BANDOL ROUGE $23.99 (last
bottles)
LE GALANTIN This
is a modest little family-operated winery and bed & breakfast estate
with most of their vineyards within the Bandol appellation.
They're facing the Gros Cerveau mountain within the town of Plan du
Castellet. The winery was founded in 1970 and today comprises
something close to 35 hectares.
We like their Rosé as it's a classic Provencal version of
"pink" wine...more the onion skin color...it's a blend of 55% Mourvèdre, 35% Cinsault and 10% Grenache. Dry, of course.
Perfect for salads, seafood, seafood salads, seafood pastas, a platter of
charcuterie, etc. -
- Currently in stock: 2009 LE GALANTIN Bandol Rosé $19.99
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