Southern France wines in the Flickinger Fine Wines inventory http://www.flickingerwines.com/wineregions/southernfrench.asp WA 92 (4/2016): Tasting like a top flight white Burgundy with its beautiful minerality, white flower and caramelized citrus bouquet, the 2014 Limoux Grand Vin Blanc has bright acidity, good mid-palate density and a great finish. Aged in a mix of new, one-, and two-year-old barrels, this beauty will keep for 3-5 years, possibly longer.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomdeBaronarques.aspWA 90-92 (4/2016): Leading off the reds, the 2014 Limoux Domaine de Baron'Arques is a blend of 46% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 13% Syrah, 9% Malbec and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 25% new French oak (the balance was in one- to three-year-old barrels), it offers a ripe, full-bodied array of black raspberries, blackberries, currants, licorice and smoked earth, as well as a terrific texture, outstanding concentration and a big finish. This is one classy red that has the fruit and texture to drink nicely on release, yet the balance, structure and class to evolve for over a decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomdeBaronarques.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/LaBastideBlanche.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChBellevueLaForet.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomdeCala.aspWA 90 (2/2006): Chapoutier is working in the Cotes du Roussillon with a project known as Bila Haut. The single vineyard offering, the 2003 Bila Haut Occultum Lapiderm is a seriously-endowed, dark ruby/purple-colored wine exhibiting big notes of melted licorice, smoked herbs, creme de cassis, black cherries, and smoke. Full-bodied, powerful, rich, and impressively pure as well as long, it should drink well for a decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/MChapoutier.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomChater.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomChater.aspMB ***[*] (9/2001): It is interesting to follow the progress of a wine from cradle to full maturity: a cask sample drawn in January, tasted in May 1987: opaque, of course: spicy, cinnamon, new oak, sweet raw, blackcurrant (Cabernet Sauvignon) fragrance, figgy, almost port=like, lovely flavour, length and finish. elegant though lean. A good start. Exactly three years later: sweet, full, very rich, velvety. Next, at lunch in 1991: still very deep, full, soft, fleshy, lovely. With the 1983 my second highest mark at the vertical tasting at Gassac in 1994. A really lovely wine, complete, good future. Most recently: still richly impressive, fragrant, harmonious; some sweetness, good flavour, fruit, tannins and acidity. One of my three top marks. Lovely now. Why wait?JR 15.0 (1/2002): Beautiful deep crimson colour. Ripe red fruits on the nose, then lots of acid and jagged structure. Furry tannins at the end. This recalls the 1982 and older vintages. There is not enough fruit and the wine is hollow. The others liked it more than I did.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/MasdeDaumasGassac.aspMB ***[*] (9/2001): It is interesting to follow the progress of a wine from cradle to full maturity: a cask sample drawn in January, tasted in May 1987: opaque, of course: spicy, cinnamon, new oak, sweet raw, blackcurrant (Cabernet Sauvignon) fragrance, figgy, almost port=like, lovely flavour, length and finish. elegant though lean. A good start. Exactly three years later: sweet, full, very rich, velvety. Next, at lunch in 1991: still very deep, full, soft, fleshy, lovely. With the 1983 my second highest mark at the vertical tasting at Gassac in 1994. A really lovely wine, complete, good future. Most recently: still richly impressive, fragrant, harmonious; some sweetness, good flavour, fruit, tannins and acidity. One of my three top marks. Lovely now. Why wait?JR 15.0 (1/2002): Beautiful deep crimson colour. Ripe red fruits on the nose, then lots of acid and jagged structure. Furry tannins at the end. This recalls the 1982 and older vintages. There is not enough fruit and the wine is hollow. The others liked it more than I did.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/MasdeDaumasGassac.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomSaintAndredeFiguiere.aspWA 93 (6/2012): I know some readers will find it hard to believe, but the 2011 Nostre Pais Blanc’s aromas and rich, honeyed, full-bodied texture reminded me of the famous white Chateauneuf du Pape made by Beaucastel, which sells for three or more times the price. An amazing blend of 90% Grenache Blanc, 5% Roussanne and 5% Viognier aged six months in French oak, the Roussanne component jumps from the glass, offering notes of acacia flowers, honeysuckle, white peach, quince and pineapple. The flamboyant, intense aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, exuberant, dry white wine that must be tasted to be believed. I suspect this offering has some aging potential, but why risk it given how beautiful it is showing at present. I recommend consuming it over the next several years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/MichelGassier.aspWA 97-98 (6/2009): Gauby’s 2007 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Muntada – from 100 year-old, pre-phylloxera Carignan vines and 60-80 year old Grenache, plus a bit of Syrah, and tasted assembled from barrel – is almost dizzying in its aromatic diversity and strength. Shrubby herbs, licorice, tar, cedar, game, daffodil and marigold floral notes lead into a palate that improbably combines sheer viscosity and riveting intensity with invigorating brightness of fresh fruit and saline, crystalline, shimmering minerality. From its deep carnal, stony depth, through its multitude of herbs and berries, to the distillate-like intensity of its floral, salt-tinged top notes, this profound and exuberant wine is brilliantly scored for full orchestra and resonates long after swallowing. This opus – whose mysterious, savage beauty and luminosity brought to mind La Tache – will not be bottled until summer, but is sure to go down as one of Gauby’s greatest, and be worth following for at least the better part of two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomGauby.aspWA 97-98 (6/2009): Gauby’s 2007 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Muntada – from 100 year-old, pre-phylloxera Carignan vines and 60-80 year old Grenache, plus a bit of Syrah, and tasted assembled from barrel – is almost dizzying in its aromatic diversity and strength. Shrubby herbs, licorice, tar, cedar, game, daffodil and marigold floral notes lead into a palate that improbably combines sheer viscosity and riveting intensity with invigorating brightness of fresh fruit and saline, crystalline, shimmering minerality. From its deep carnal, stony depth, through its multitude of herbs and berries, to the distillate-like intensity of its floral, salt-tinged top notes, this profound and exuberant wine is brilliantly scored for full orchestra and resonates long after swallowing. This opus – whose mysterious, savage beauty and luminosity brought to mind La Tache – will not be bottled until summer, but is sure to go down as one of Gauby’s greatest, and be worth following for at least the better part of two decades.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomGauby.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/JolieFolle.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomLafage.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomLafage.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomLafage.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomLafage.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomMadeloc(PGaillard).asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomduMasBlanc.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomduMasBlanc.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomduMasBlanc.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomduMasBlanc.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomduMasBlanc.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChMontus.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/MasMudigliza.aspWA 93 (6/2016): While most 2012s from the region are slightly superficial and charming, Pibarnon’s 2012 Bandol Rouge has real depth and density, as well as fabulous notes of garrigue, toasted spices, dried Provencal herbs, and sweet red and black fruits. It has present tannin, yet they’re polished and nicely integrated into the wine, and while this beauty will have 15 years of more of overall longevity, it’s already hard to resist today. The blend of the 2012 is 92% Mourvèdre and 8% Grenache, all of which saw an extended maceration and 18-20 months in larger foudres. This is a fabulous Bandol that readers should seek out!WS 91 (11/2015): Features a large core of macerated plum, blueberry and blackberry fruit, lined with subtle savory, mint and tobacco notes. Anise shading shows on the finish. Needs a little time to unfurl. Best from 2016 through 2022. 8,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.aspWA 93 (6/2016): While most 2012s from the region are slightly superficial and charming, Pibarnon’s 2012 Bandol Rouge has real depth and density, as well as fabulous notes of garrigue, toasted spices, dried Provencal herbs, and sweet red and black fruits. It has present tannin, yet they’re polished and nicely integrated into the wine, and while this beauty will have 15 years of more of overall longevity, it’s already hard to resist today. The blend of the 2012 is 92% Mourvèdre and 8% Grenache, all of which saw an extended maceration and 18-20 months in larger foudres. This is a fabulous Bandol that readers should seek out!WS 91 (11/2015): Features a large core of macerated plum, blueberry and blackberry fruit, lined with subtle savory, mint and tobacco notes. Anise shading shows on the finish. Needs a little time to unfurl. Best from 2016 through 2022. 8,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.aspWS 91 (11/2016): This has a singed juniper hint out front, followed by bay, olive and leather hints that pervade the core of lightly steeped cherry and raspberry fruit. Everything knits nicely through the medium-weight finish. Approachable, but will develop more nuance with a bit of cellaring. Drink now through 2023. 9,500 cases made. WA 90 (6/2016): One of the most charming, fun to drink wines in the vintage is the 2013 Bandol Rouge from Chateau de Pibarnon. Leaning towards the medium-bodied, textured, rounded end of the spectrum, it gives up lots of fruit (cassis, black raspberry), garrigue and licorice in a character-filled, balanced, highly drinkable style. Given its overall balance, it will have 10-15 years of longevity.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.aspWS 91 (11/2016): This has a singed juniper hint out front, followed by bay, olive and leather hints that pervade the core of lightly steeped cherry and raspberry fruit. Everything knits nicely through the medium-weight finish. Approachable, but will develop more nuance with a bit of cellaring. Drink now through 2023. 9,500 cases made. WA 90 (6/2016): One of the most charming, fun to drink wines in the vintage is the 2013 Bandol Rouge from Chateau de Pibarnon. Leaning towards the medium-bodied, textured, rounded end of the spectrum, it gives up lots of fruit (cassis, black raspberry), garrigue and licorice in a character-filled, balanced, highly drinkable style. Given its overall balance, it will have 10-15 years of longevity.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/LesRestanquesdePibarnon.aspWS 90 (11/2016): Peach pit, pink grapefruit zest and jasmine notes form a lively mix, with quinine and jicama accents adding cut on the finish. Has the energy to cellar if you want it to broaden out a little. Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Ugni Blanc and Vermentino. Drink now through 2018. 2,000 cases made. WA 87 (6/2016): A blend of 50% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and 20% other permitted varieties, the 2014 Bandol Blanc from Chateau de Pibarnon is a food-friendly, supple, surprisingly textured effort that offers lots of apple blossom, spice and buttered citrus in its rounded, medium-bodied style. It has plenty of charm and should be enjoyed over the coming year.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.aspVM 91 (6/2017): Brilliant orange-pink. Mineral-tinged red berry, citrus fruit and lavender aromas are complemented by a deeper nectarine quality. Sappy and seamless on the palate, offering juicy pit fruit and red berry flavors and a hint of blood orange. Smooths out and expands on the long, focused finish, which leaves a suave floral note behind. Josh Raynolds.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.aspVM 93 (6/2017): Vivid orange-pink. A wild, complex bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-tinged citrus fruits, red berries, nectarine and honey, along with a powerful floral overtone. Stains the palate with tightly wound blood orange, strawberry and bitter quince flavors that unfold and deepen on the back half. The pit fruit note comes back strong on the strikingly long, seamless finish, which shows excellent clarity and strong mineral thrust. This fabulous pink Bandol is made from fruit grown in the estate's highest and oldest vineyards. Josh Raynolds.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChdePibarnon.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChSainte-Roseline.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChSainte-Roseline.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChSepty.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChSepty.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/PrieuredeStJeandeBebian.aspWS 92 (10/2015): Tightly coiled, with a strong iron note around the core of red currant, raspberry and damson plum fruit. Lovely bay leaf, alder and lavender details pervade the finish, boding well for cellaring, though needs time to stretch out fully. Best from 2018 through 2026. 1,215 cases imported.WA 91 (6/2016): Always a wine worth seeking out, the 2012 Bandol Cuvee Classique sports a mostly opaque ruby color to go with sexy, forward notes of spice-box, black raspberries, kirsch and cured meats. Medium-bodied, rounded and downright hard to resist, drink it anytime over the coming decade.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomTempier.aspWS 89 (8/2003): This red wrestles you down with its intense leathery and earthy aromas, which are followed up by powerful smoky and dark cherry flavors. Notes of blood and iron, with plenty of tannins, on the finish. Might settle down with some time in the cellar. Best from 2004 through 2007.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomTempier.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomTempier.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomTempier.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomTempier.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomTempier.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomTempier.aspIWC 87 (7/1998): Red-ruby. Aromas of tart red berries, cherry, eucalyptus, thyme and minerals, plus a faint musty note. Offers more texture, volume and sweetness than the Migoua yet still lacks real generosity. The finish is dry-edged and peppery. WS 87 (3/1998): Ripe-tasting and full-flavored, with plenty of plum, cherry and spice notes. A nice cedary streak through the middle lingers on the finish. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DomTempier.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChTireculLaGraviere.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/ChTireculLaGraviere.asp