This mourvedre-based rose is orange-hued with ripe, alcoholic flavors; bears no resemblance to the Bandol ambitions implied by the name nor the last bottle I had of a friend's 2012 that was super pale and en pointe for a true Southern French version. Initially, not pleased.
But that was day one and we only nipped at one short glass before neighbors invited us over the fence to consume copious quantities of quality Cal Cabs, so there went our pink plans.
So the next day, out of the fridge came the 80% remaining of this Lulu. And my, how it had changed. Still not Bandolesque, but the immediate impression of alcohol and candied ripeness was gone, and in it's place were watermelon, rhubarb, dust, a bit of cedar and some attractively dry tannins. I went from regretting that I'd bought four bottles of this to being quite glad to have three more.
, I invite you to note that I've corrected the vintage year from 2014 to 2013, and added an addendum to my initial TN.