Cuvée India Bandol Rouge

From the first sniff, this wine is all dark fruit and concentrated intensity---like rummaging in a spice cupboard alongside boiled meat, dried herbs, liquorice, and a whiff of barnyard. The palate shows heft but wraps it in round, slightly jammy tannins, a decent thread of acidity, and a pleasing bitterness, with plenty of dried black fruit. Over time, it unfurls notes of chocolate, coffee, cola, and herbal cough drops. There's definitely a rustic charm here, but it's not the easiest wine to drink. Perhaps it's the forceful style---powerful, almost syrupy---that holds me back. Still, it's an intriguing glimpse of Bandol's bold side, a wine that speaks loudly of its place, whether you're in the mood for it or not.