Bastide Blanche Cuvee Estagnol 2003 Bandol

Red/purple.

Menthol/licorice/sausage/game/clay/red fruit nose. Slight heat. An exotic fruit aspect too - kiwi?

Fairly open and plush for Bastide, with typical grainy tannin kicking in at mid-palate. Not nearly as dense as the 2001. Here the tannin really overpowers the fruit in the finish. An iron nuance late. Good but not great.

I'd drink this over the next 3-4 years with some lamb cassoulet (talk to John Hall at Canela).


$25