Domaine du Gros Nore Bandol Rouge 2015

The reds from Alain Pascal of Gros ’Noré are big, brooding beasts that convey the full tannic punch of the Mourvèdre grape. This 2015 is no exception, as a hot, dry summer gave beautifully ripe grapes rich with sugars and complex flavors. Blackberry, black cherry, and Provençal herbs and spices dominate today, but with some bottle age (you may cellar it twenty years or more), leathery nuances and a gamey, almost animal bouquet tend to emerge. For drinking it now, pull the cork well in advance or use a decanter to allow its rugged tannins to soften, then dig in—you’ll find plenty to chew on.

—Anthony Lynch