2014 Domaine Dupuy de Lome, Bandol Rose, Provence, France.
It’s the season, the time of year you throw your paychecks at Rose and live through the hot summer months bathed in a pink glow! Nothing says, F*CK IT, I want to live well, better than Bandol Rose, it is a right of Summer, and this new Dupuy de Lome is a smart choice, it is almost Tempier quality juice at almost half the price making it a savvy deal and a great little pink friend. The 2014 Domaine Dupuy de Lome comes from old vines and one of the most dramaticly beautiful estates in Southern France, the pictures from here are stunning with the Mediterranean Sea, pine forrest, exposed rocks, vines and ancient castle/chateau all add to the romance and certainly the terroir here is prime contributing to the fine detailed flavors. The cepage for the Dupuy de Lome is mostly, about 80% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache and 10% Cinsault, higher in Grenache for 2014 than normal, but it adds a bit of fruit to this austere and charming Pink which is welcome, it shows good cut and mineral notes along with spice and has nice depth and mouth fell. The Bandol Rose starts with a steely sea breeze note, citrus and tangy cherry with a hint of rose water and lavender leading to a palate of tart fruit and stony layers with strawberry, grapefruit, watermelon and fresh red peach along with pepper, saline, flint and gauva tea. There is mouth watering acidity, cleansing and vibrant, making this a zesty dry Rose that has a hint of tannin and a lingering finish, drink over the next year or so, amazingly enough people are developing a taste for short term aging of their Roses and like the mature wax and caramel notes of 2 or 3 year old stuff, especially Bandol, but I enjoy mine extremely brisk and youthful, between now and next Spring! The Tempier will still tempt me into a few bottles, but with this gorgeous effort I’ll be investing even more cash and getting lots more for it!
($22 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
