2021 Bandol Rose Mas Redonne

The 2020 Albarino is only starting to show a little complexity in a very complete year of good ripeness and balance. There is great purity and elegance here. It's 13.5% alcohol and comes though as very balanced and clean. It's still shy and should continu...

“Barrel X” is winemaker Florian Lauer’s Platonic ideal of what a slightly off-dry (feinherb) Saar Riesling should be. If we were in Burgundy, this would be the equivalent of a “Bourgogne Blanc.” As an appellation-level wine, it is sourced from multiple vineyards in four different villages of the Saar: Ayl (Lauer’s home village), Saarburg, Wawern and Wiltingen. Florian says, “From Ayl and Wawern, the wine gains the fruit and power, from Saarburg the racy acidity, and from Wiltingen, the spice.” Regardless of what comes from where, this much is certain: dollar for dollar, I’m not sure there is a 750ml bottle that delivers as much joy and zing. This is the gateway drug to Lauer, to the Saar, to Riesling… be careful. Very addictive.

Attractively juicy and easy to enjoy, thanks to the generous red-berry, nectarine and citrus-peel character on the nicely balanced, medium-bodied palate. Crisp finish with a touch of tannin giving it drive. A blend dominated by grenache and syrah. From bi...