A special red from Bandol on the Mediterranean coast of Provence. The local Mourvèdre grape's richness and dimension is here captured by boutique legends Domaine du Tempier. But they also maintain a modern sense of cleanliness, freshness and balance. This fruity, well balanced wine can be enjoyed after 3 or 4 years, but develops extremely pleasant tertiary aromas (leather, animal and undergrowth) with further ageing. The wine’s balance gives it an ageing potential of 15 years or more.
Parker's Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck
"Easily the most widely recognized estate in Bandol, Domaine Tempier has been run by the Peyraud family since 1936. (Though the Domaine has existed since the reign of Louis XV). Today, with the passing of Lucien Peyraud in 1996 and the retirement of sons Francois and Jean-Marie, the estate is run by the tall, energetic and talented Daniel Ravier—who speaks with a refreshing honesty and humility. Looking at the reds, the estate fashions four cuvees, a classic Bandol from a mix of terroirs, and three single vineyards—La Migoua, La Tourtine and Cabassaou. Lying outside the village of Le Beausset, the La Migoua vineyard is the highest elevation site of the three and sits at 270 meters above sea level; it consists of diverse clay and limestone soils. Possessing the smallest amount of Mourvèdre (~55%) and the most Grenache, this cuvee is always slightly less powerful and rich than the other two single vineyards, yet is always the most perfumed and complex. The La Tourtine parcel lies at a slightly lower elevation, in the Castellet region, and is more homogeneously clay soils. This parcel yields a powerful, rich, concentrated and surprisingly polished Bandol that has the fruit and texture to impress in its youth, yet the concentration to age beautifully."
Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"The Estate’s prominent cuvée blends the discrete strength of Bandol with the elegance and finesse which characterize Tempier. This complexity is a result of different terroirs of the estate and the variety of its clay-limestone soil located around the Estate but also in La Cadière, Sainte Anne d’Evenos, and Ollioules. There are sandy marls, limestone greseux from santonien, rudist limestone and recent barely deep horizons of colluvions. Plus, there are various sun or wind exposures."