14% abv, Peyraud, Plan du Castelet Var, imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Marchant, Berkeley, CA
Cult wines hardly seem to disappoint. Such is the case with the 2018 bottling from Tempier. Biodynamically farmed, I felt it appropriate to uncork this gem on a fruit day (2/17) so that the moon would be waxing and she could sing from the diaphragm. In 1941 the Bandol AOC was created with help from the Tempier and Peyraud families who were joined through marriage and birthed this great estate. The ‘Cuvée Classique” Bandol is from 35-40 year old vines grown on clay and limestone soils; the blend is 75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache Noir, 9% Cinsault and 2% Carignan. The fruit is hand harvested, destemmed, and vatted in concrete for fermentation with native yeast before aging in large oak foudres (25-50 hectoliters) for 18 months prior to bottling. Daniel Ravier makes the wines.
Tasting note: Medium ruby with a clean nose of medium+ intensity with floral aromas, earthy inflections of ash and tar with a hint of pomegranate, blackberry, dried herbs and winter rose. The ‘Cuvée Classique’ is bone dry, with medium+ acid, medium body, medium+ dusty tannins, a nice medium+ body and a long finish with flavors of violet, tar, sandalwood, oregano leaves, herbs de Provence, roasted meat, blackberry, raspberry, elderberry, and a weighty syrupy açaí berry. She was a bit shy in the mid palate but long on the finish. This is not the most powerful vintage of Tempier but it’s framed by a lovely freshness and balance that gives it some real legs. Very good; 9.3/10: drink now or over the next 15+ years.