Moulin de la Roque “Tarente” Bandol rouge 2019. New to TOB.
Wine Name: Moulin de la Roque “Tarente” Bandol Rouge 2019. “Tarente” is the name given to Moulin de la Roque’s flagship wines (it’s a local word for the geckos found around this part of the Mediterranean, also featured on the label).
Region: Bandol, Provence, France
Appellation: AOC Bandol
Grape Varieties: 95% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan
Alcohol Content: 14.5% ABV
Maturation: Aged for 22 months in large oak vats, allowing Mourvèdre’s robust tannins and complex aromatics to soften and evolve without overshadowing the wine’s purity.
Moulin de la Roque’s Bandol Rouge 2019 is a really interesting and refined expression of Mourvèdre and the Bandol terroir—intense, structured, and endlessly nuanced – but no fruit bomb! In the glass, it presents a deep ruby hue with a terracotta rim and the bouquet is powerful and layered, reminiscent of Italian reds like Chianti and Nebbiolo-based wines that (like this) are also aged in large oak vats. That’s my guess as to why this wine has an Italian character, as well as the intensity of the sun in Bandol that is right next to the Mediterranean and comparable to the major red wine regions of central and northern Italy. There is certainly a core of dark fruit to this wine but what I love about it is its antique wood, smokey herbs, and hot crushed rock-type aromas. It’s fruit driven but the overall style is savoury.
The palate is full but tightly wound, muscular but lean, with fine tannins providing elegant grip, while the finish is long, smooth, and lifted by refined acidity and minerality.
Ideal with roasted game, duck with black olives, or a truffle-infused beef dish. Though already impressive, this wine is built for cellaring and will continue to evolve gracefully over 10 years or more. A benchmark Bandol that showcases the mastery of Mourvèdre and the craftsmanship of Moulin de la Roque. Bravissimo!
