Doug Powers

9.5

Unlike La Tourtine, this bottle’s cork wouldn’t come out in one piece, on first sip this is more dark-fruited and almost brooding aromatically and on the palate, massive fruit impression, great balance, also a super long, lingering finish, another WOW! While I hesitate to say this, in the old days I would describe this La Miguoa as rough and masculine, and La Tourtine as silky and feminine, but both are truly outstanding. The price tag from WinEx back in the day was still on this bottle, $22.99. — 6 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.0

Doing some cellar “rearranging” (mostly Rhone/Tempier,, yep, found a box of mostly 1995s of the latter!!) in the cellar this past hour or so (why am I sweating like a greased old man pig?? Oh yeah, because I’m f’n old!!!) — anyway, moving a dozen ++ boxes or so yielded some interesting wines, some older Eric Texier Brezeme VV (2001?), some CdPs which I’ll post another day, and a bunch of 1995 Domaine Tempier, all of which we’ll try and post!! And, specifically, 1990 Clos des Papes CdP, hopefully they’re still rocking!!!
Anyway, this 2020 South African Syrah is quite fine (I think my first South African Syrah ever, so please be gentle @Dave), lovely redfruits, clean, balanced, medium-bodied, longish finish, quite good, actually!?!! — 3 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.5

Pristine cork (3/4 dry), ripe redfruits (surprisingly still quite primary at age 31), generally soft tannins, some bottle sweetness is also front and center, then some garrigue and just a trace of bitterness at the very back end, super long, lingering finish, while I believe this will cellar further, it’s fantastic right now, so if anyone has this La Tourtine, it’s worth opening a bottle!! WOW!! — 6 days ago

with Jim

Jay Kline

9.2

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours alongside the 2017 La Migoua and 2019 La Tourtine. No formal notes. At this juncture, despite being the youngest, the 2020 “Lulu & Lucien” (formerly labeled as their standard Bandol Rouge) is the most open and freshest of the three. Delicious with traditional cassoulet. Definitely something that can be appreciated now through 2035. — 2 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.5

Salmon color with copper reflexes. Nose of grapefruit, and Mandarin peel, lemon juice, pink flowers, and petrichor. Faint Aperol on the back. Palate is explosive but not effusive. More grapefruit oil, lemon pith, garrigue, waves of saline minerality and a bright acidity that makes it go on and on. Pretty serious argument on why it deserves its reputation is the best rosé in the world  — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The colour is a surprisingly a youthful deep Ruby with purple tinges considering its 17 years of age. Dusty plum and herbal aromas. Ultra savoury on the medium bodied palate. An excellent example of perhaps the best terroir for Mourvèdre - Provence. Jancis’s drinking window was 2010 to 2020 which proves yet again how drinking windows are an inexact science considering that this wine was still kicking goals in 2025. — 4 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.3

I preferred this slightly over the cru La Tourtine, from the same year. This was slightly shorter but the flavor profile was more mature. Seemed like the ideal drinking window. — 19 days ago

with Mike, Jason and 1 other

Jason Sliwa

9.4

What a value at this restaurant. Everything in balance; aged well indeed. — 19 days ago

with Mike, Anne and 1 other

Matt Finelli

10

God tier wine! When Jesus turned water into wine, this is what I imagine he made. Desecrated fruit on the nose, taking me to the depths. Cherry notes, high acidity, high tannins, like licking the lacquer off a wooden table but you like it — 3 months ago

John Kanellopoulos

9.5

Hard to not stop and rethink the smell, flavor and taste on this one… — 4 months ago