2016 Domaine Tempier Tourtine Bandol

Domaine Tempier is without a doubt the most famous estate in the Bandol. The Tourtine vineyard is situated at an altitude of approximately 250 meters in the Castellet region on a clay soil. This terroir delivers a powerful, rich, concentrated and surprisingly polished Bandol with fruit and texture to impress in its youth but with e concentration so that the wine can age beautifully. The Tourtine is a rich, powerful, serious, impressive wine that every wine lover should taste.

Just like all years extremely limited availability and if you have managed to get hold of one or more bottles, then patience is an absolute requirement. However, there will come a time when 'great enjoyment' will come. A beautiful, exuberant nose of blackberries, cherries and an almost savory character. The taste has a sublime balance and more minerality extremely harmonious with a well-defined, beautifully balanced finish. Outstanding.

Bandol is an old port town on the Mediterranean, located between Toulon and Marseille. The hills directly behind the coast offer an exceptional soil for the Mourvèdre grape that can rise here to unprecedented heights. The tiny appellation Bandol delivers without a doubt the greatest red wines of the entire Provence and one of the most fascinating and impressive wines of all of France. The leading producer here is Domaine Tempier. Tempier has been in the possession of the Peyraud family since 1843. It was thanks to them that the wine was assigned its own appellation in 1941. In the nineties, the level of the wines of this legendary producer declined slightly, but with the arrival of the young ambitious winemaker Daniel Rabier, the wines are back at the top with effect from the 2000 harvest. In addition to the red base cuvée, three special cuvées are made, each from the best grapes from a specific vineyard. In addition, they also make an excellent white wine and a sensational rosé which, according to many, is even the best rosé in the world. Clive Coates: “Bandol is where you will find the expression of the Mourvedre at the most untrammeled and - if you are patient enough - most triumphant. And in Bandol, the best source is the Domaine Tempier at Le Plan du Castellet ”.