Bandol 2009
Hecht & Bannier
Terroir: The appellation of Bandol encompasses about 3700 acres in the south of France west of the Cotes de Provence and directly bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast. This small appellation stretches across eight villages, each representing a unique terroir; Bandol, Le Beausset, Le Castellet, La Cadiere d’Azur, Saint Cyr sur Mer, Sainte Anne d’Evenos, Sanary and Ollioles. Soils, range from shallow, dry and stoney primarily of limestone, sand and sandstone, to deeper, clay based soils around La Cadiere d’Azur. Vineyards are planted as “restanques” or stone terraces built into the hillsides.
Vinification: A blend of Mourvedre, Grenache and Cinsault, the wine is vinified and aged in a combination of epoxy lined concrete tank, large neutral oak casks and about 20% in new oak barrels producing a wine of powerful, ripe, juicy fruit with an elegant, refined finish.
Additional Information
“We choose to express the Mourvèdre full power and depth, mainly through the wines coming from this magnificent terroir called Chemin de l’Argile, below the perched village La Cadière d’Azur. We blend them with some wines produced on the limestone area, northern Saint Cyr sur Mer. Freshness comes from the grapes harvested on the late ripening terroir of Sainte Anne d’Evenos; they bring a rythm and energy in this very sunny wine where we always search for the right balance. It is achieved thanks to the unique freshness of tannins in the Mourvèdre here.”
Recent Press
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Forbes Author: Nick Passmore
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2014"Bandol is home to the best reds of Provence, and Gregory Hecht and François Bannier, newcomers to the region, have hit the ground running with this polished, fruit-filled delight. Perfect with any meats off the grill, along with more robust cheeses, including chèvre."Grade: Twelve Winning Wines For A Labor Day Party -
Wine Spectator Online Author: James Molesworth
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2014"...the first vintage of this wine for Hecht & Bannier and there were just 600 cases made (U.S. retail would be about $35). The Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault blend has opened nicely with time in the bottle, showing alluring bay and leather notes backed by tobacco and taut red cherry fruit." -
Score: 90 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Kim Marcus
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2013"Well-sculpted, with intense notes of hot stone and mineral to the flavors of raspberry tart, pomegranate, spiced cherry and roasted walnut. Black olive and dark chocolate fill the powerfully tannic finish. Drink now through 2018. 2,000 cases made." -
Score: 87 Points
Wine Review Online Author: Michael Apstein
Date: Thursday, September 5, 2013Juicy and succulent, this weighty Bandol is surprisingly user-friendly now with just enough tannic-acid structure to frame the black fruit-like flavors without being aggressive or intrusive. Hints of earth complement its dark fruitiness. It carries its intensity and concentration with grace. It’s a good choice for hearty grilled fare. -
1WineDude.com Author: Joe Roberts
Date: Monday, July 15, 2013And the Bandol played on, and it's a funky tune, but they're nearly reaching the end of their set.Grade: B
