When Lucie "Lulu" Tempier married Lucien Peyraud in 1936, her father gave them Domaine Tempier, an active farm that had been in the family since 1834, near Le Plan du Castellet, just outside the Mediterranean seaport village of Bandol. Tasting a pre-phylloxera bottle of Domaine Tempier Bandol (a wedding gift from his father-in-law) inspired Lucien to research the terroir of Bandol extensively. Up until that point, old vineyards planted with Mourvèdre had been systematically replanted to higher-yielding varietals. However, more research not only showed its historical roots to the area, but the grape proved to be more resistant to oxidation, producing wines with great aging potential. By 1941, with the assistance of neighboring vignerons, Lucien worked with the I.N.A.O. (Institut National des Appellations d'Origines) to establish Bandol as its own A.O.C. Needless to say, large-scale replanting of Mourvèdre ensued, and Bandol now requires a fifty percent minimum in all reds. Lucien will forever be celebrated as the Godfather of Bandol, but also as the man who revived Mourvèdre to its former glory. Raising deep and structured wines of such refinement and longevity has made Domaine Tempier truly a grand cru de Provence.
There is something about the dark, inky Mourvèdre, plus the salty sea air caressing the vines every night, that typifies classic Bandol. This wine is
La Tourtine sits just above the La Cabassaou vineyard. The soil here is more homogeneous, with rich clay. At 40+ years of age on the
La Migoua is made up of heterogeneous clay that varies in color between red, ochre, and blue. At 270 meters, it sits at the highest
White wine accounts for just 3% of Domaine Tempier’s total wine production. It is made from grapes grown on the estate’s finest vineyards which benefit
Wine Advocate 89-92 Still in tank at the end of February, Tempier's 2018 Bandol Rose marks another successful vintage for this consistent standout. It's light to
The grapes used to make our rosé come from selected parcels where the vines are on average 20 years old. The yields are low, which
Wine Spectator 93 Beautiful aromas of minerals, stones, roses and fresh strawberry. Some citrus too. Full body, yet agile and fresh with light cantaloupe lemon rind,
" A deep ruby color in the glass with alluring aromas of dark fruit. This wine has an intense palate, yet smooth tannins. After 5
" The grapes used for this rosé come from selected parcels where the vines are on average 20 years old. The yields are low, which
"Owned by the Tempier family since 1834, this traditional, family-owned and managed domaine won its first gold medal in 1885. Located in the Bandol appellation
"Once praised by Robert Parker as the greatest rose in the world, Domaine Tempier's Bandol has a cult-like following. Crystal clear with salmon pink color
" La Migoua is made up of heterogeneous clay that varies in color between red, ochre, and blue. At 270 meters, it sits at the
"A deep ruby color. Aromas of dark fruit. Intense smooth tannins. After 5 or 6 years of aging, the wine will develop notes of leather,
" Good concentration and minerality. A wine with character that will age for decades. A wonderful synthesis of the terroir's tremendous complexity, where aromas of
A deep ruby color. Aromas of dark fruit. Intense smooth tannins. After 5 or 6 years of aging, the wine will develop notes of leather,
" Taste : Blackberry, violet, oak, smoke, toast, vanilla, black currant, dust and leather Nose: Thyme, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, mint, vanilla, toast, smoke, tobacco,
" La Tourtine is a single-vineyard of Domaine Tempier, where the soil is rich with clay and limestone. She produces powerful, tannic wines with long
"Domaine Tempier's 2016 Bandol Rose continues to show why it's considered one of the best rosés in the world. Made with a hefty chunk of
Wine Advocate 90 "A classic, textbook red Bandol that shows the vintage nicely, Tempier’s 2011 Bandol Cuvee Classique gives up complex saddle leather, wild herbs, flowers
"Beyond our affection and the enduring bonds of our friendship, objectively the celebrity of Domaine Tempier also lies deep in the soils of Bandol. Variations of
"Well-packed but very fresh in feel, with a violet edge to the core of currant and plum fruit. Singed rosemary and licorice snap notes underscore
Wine Advocate 94 "Larger scaled and more textured and ripe, the 2011 Bandol La Tourtine is always a rough blend of 80% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache and
Stephen Tanzer 92 "Bright, orange-tinged pink. Spicy, mineral-accented aromas of redcurrant, blood orange and white pepper, with a hint of lavender in the background. Focused
"Once praised by Robert Parker as the greatest rose in the world, Domaine Tempier's Bandol has a cult-like following. Crystal clear with salmon pink color
"The three single-vineyards of Domaine Tempier are: La Migoua, La Tourtine, and Cabassaou. All are made up of clay and limestone, but there are variations
