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2020 La Bastide Blanche Bandol, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This wine has at least 75% Mourvedre.  In this vintage it is  83% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache and 7% Other varietals.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy and dusty with cherries and slight black cherries.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, some cherries and a slight root beer note.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own but would be better with food.  This would go well with Roasted Eggplant Parmesan.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2024 Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Syrah from Provence.  This celebrity owned winery bottles this in a rounder "perfume" shaped bottle and is very nice.  Pink with silvery/blue hues, clear and bright.  The nose is big with cherries, slight raspberries and a hint of lemon.  Medium bodied.  Lower acidity.  On the palate, "steely" cherries.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own but is better with food.  This would work well with Sushi.  Drink over the next year.  

2024 Château la Tour de l'Évêque Côtes de Provence Pétale de Rosé, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This certified organic wine is a blend of : An intricate mix of 42% Grenache, 32% Cinsault, 12% Mourvèdre, 7% Syrah, 4% Rolle (Vermentino), 1% Sémillon, 1% Cabernet-Sauvignon, and 1% Ugni Blanc.  Silvery/pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has an interesting pomegranate along with a touch of strawberries.  Light to medium bodied.  Low acidity.  On the palate, this is thin/watery.  Not a lot of fruit, maybe a touch of strawberries.  Moderate finish.  Perhaps this is getting a bit old at this point?  It is better with food and worked nicely with a watermelon salad.  Drink up.  

2025 Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel, France, Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2025
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

The 20th vintage of  this wine (according to the label).  It is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino), Syrah, and Tibouren.   Deep pink in color with some straw colored hues, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries with strong lemon notes as well.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily  texture.  On the palate, this has cherries with a slight peach note.  Clean finish.  This would work well with Lemon Chicken.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2023 Château Minuty Côtes de Provence Cuvée Prestige Rosé, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is a blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Rolle, and 5% Cinsault.  Pink/straw in color, clear and bright.  The nose is big with red fruit.  With a bit of air, raspberries and slight black cherries are noticeable.  Nice texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, cherries with a slight herbal (Sorrel?) note.  More herbals on the finish.  This is a very nice wine on its own but better with food.  It went very well with Burrata and other soft cheeses.  Drink up as this is starting to show a bit tired.  

2025 Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence By.Ott, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2025
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This is a blend of60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 7% Mourvèdre, 4% Syrah, and 4% Rolle.  Pale pink in color with some slight "silvery/blue" hues.  Clear and bright.  The nose has a cherry juice note.  With air, some light watermelon adds to the aromas.  Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, there is some depth along with tart cherries.  The finish is a bit clipped.  It is nice on its own but would be better with lighter food.  It would work nicely with a Goat Cheese salad.  Drink over the next year or two.  

2025 AIX Vin de Provence Rose, France, AOP Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2025
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Very nice showing for this wine.  It is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cinsault. Pale pink with slight silvery notes in color, clear and bright.  The nose opens with strawberries.  With air it gets "dusty" with cherries.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, tart cherries with some depth.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but was better with watermelon and cantaloupe.  A lovely wine for a summer evening.  

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