BANDOL
2014 Cuvée Classique Domaine Tempier
Daniel, who seeks out freshness is really pleased with the 2014s. They have a superb purity and grace. The nose here is like a red berry compote. More spice, black pepper, black cherry and blackberry, floral violet back notes. Lovely directness - this soars across the palate as though on a high plain. Then good, rich tannins but ripe acid, lovely fragrant almost angular dark berry fruit delivery; damson, blackberry, spice and aromatic herbs, finishes with surprising fleshiness and gentle hold. Quite a ride. Drinking range: 2017 - 2027L&S (Jul 2017)
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Deep crimson. Rich and darkly fruited but with the savoury, almost meaty character of Mourvèdre, lifted by a tangy cranberry freshness and notable spice. On the palate, really savoury and almost a little sour but in a good way. Surprisingly smooth tannins already but they are deep and firm. Beautifully balanced even though this is just at the start of its journey into complexity. Drinking range: 2019 - 2039 Rating: 17+ Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Feb 2018)
An impressive barrel sample, the 2014 Bandol Cuvee Classique shows surprising depth and concentration in the vintage. Notes of dark fruits, mineral and peppery, Provencal herbs all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, elegant 2014 that should drink reasonably well on release. Rating: 89-92 Jeb Dunnuck - www.robertparker.com (Jun 2016)
Domaine Tempier
Domaine Tempier is an old family estate, owned by the Peyrauds since Lucien Peyraud married Lucie Tempier in 1936. The family was largely instrumental in getting the appellation of Bandol established in 1941. The reds are the quintessential expression of Mourvèdre, grown on terraced vineyards on steep hills around the 'plan du Castellet'.
Traditional vinification using indigenous yeasts, the wines are aged in a variety of different sized oak (25 to 75hl) for between 18 and 20 months. These are wines which are capable of long ageing, but even young they have a finesse of fruit and earthy flavour, coupled with fine-grained tannins, which lift them above the generality of Provençal reds.
Read the blog: Lulu Peyraud, Domaine Tempier – A life well lived