The 2019 Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol Rouge is a red wine hailing from the Bandol sub-region in Provence, France. This wine is a proprietary blend composed predominantly of Mourvèdre (90%) with a smaller proportion of Grenache (10%). Sealed with a traditional cork, it carries an alcohol content of 14.5%.
According to Joe Czerwinski of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, who rated the wine at 90 points, the 2019 Bandol Rouge is characterized by "scents of vanilla, black cherries and plums." Czerwinski describes the wine as ripe, even "a touch jammy," which suggests it has a rich, fruit-forward profile. This aligns with his observation that the wine is produced in "a powerful, modern style."
The wine is full-bodied, offering a supple and rich mouthfeel. Despite its robust nature, it finishes with "a gentle coating of soft tannins," making it approachable even in its youth. Czerwinski notes that the wine's presentation is notably polished and sophisticated.
Interestingly, Czerwinski alludes to the possibility that his rating of 90 points might be conservative. He implies that the wine may reveal additional complexity with time, stating, "I suspect my rating is conservative." However, in the context of the blind-tasting event in which he sampled this wine, he found himself more impressed with Chateau de Pibarnon's less expensive offering, the Restanques de Pibarnon.
In summary, the 2019 Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol Rouge is a modern, powerful red wine with rich fruit flavors and a smooth, tannin-coated finish. While it has garnered a solid review, it may not have stood out as much as other offerings from the same producer in a blind tasting. Nevertheless, its complex profile and potential for further development make it a noteworthy choice for enthusiasts of robust, fruit-forward red wines.