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90POINTS
16½/20
Domaine Tempier Bandol 2011
Bandol, Provence, Sud de France, FranceThe Peyraud family, and Bandol's Domaine Tempier, is THE iconic Bandol winery, and one that has been in the family since 1834. The winery began when Lucie “Lulu” Tempier married Lucien Peyraud in 1936, and her father gave them Domaine Tempier, and a bottle of pre-phylloxera Tempier Bandol. That wine inspired Lucien to research the terroir of Bandol, and its historical ties to Mourvèdre. In 1941, his work led to establishing Bandol as its own AOC, and Mourvèdre now must make up at least 50% of all reds. This is 40+ year old vines, and approximately 75% Mourvèdre, with the balance of grenache, cinsault, and carignan, from Bandol's clay/limestone soils. After a native ferment in stainless, the wine moves to oak foudres for MLF and 20 months' aging before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Now, near a decade on, and benefitting from 2011's inherent freshness, this fuller-bodied red draws worked leather, dried florals, dried dark cherry, tobacco, iodine and ferrous notes along a slow, lumbering palate, infiltrated with dusky spicing and a wild thorniness. Tannins are ever-present and ample, but thankfully nubbed soft with time, showing the importance of laying these wines down. The finish is scented with lusty dried violets. A very worthy wine to set your compass forever more for classic Bandol.Tasted: 11 June 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml | private wine shops |
