The 2016 Domaine La Suffrène Bandol Les Lauves is a magnificent Mourvèdre-dominant red from one of Bandol’s benchmark estates. Sourced from the estate’s finest parcels, Les Lauves represents the pinnacle of La Suffrène’s winemaking, combining the power and longevity of Bandol with remarkable elegance and finesse. The exceptional 2016 vintage, widely regarded as one of the finest in recent decades across southern France, produced wines of outstanding concentration, balance and ageing potential.
The nose is deeply complex, revealing blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside notes of garrigue, black olive, liquorice and exotic spice. The palate is rich and beautifully structured, with layers of dark fruit supported by firm yet refined tannins and fresh acidity. Hints of graphite, leather, dried herbs and earthy savoury complexity unfold across a long, powerful finish. After several years of bottle age, the wine is beginning to reveal the tertiary character and depth that make mature Bandol so compelling.
Ben’s Recommendation:
A serious and age-worthy Bandol that showcases Mourvèdre at its finest. Powerful, complex and immensely rewarding, it pairs beautifully with slow-roasted lamb, beef cheek, venison, game dishes and Provençal cuisine. Decant for at least an hour if drinking now, or cellar through 2040 and beyond as it develops even greater savoury complexity, spice and refinement.
