2014 Domaine Tempier, Bandol Cuvee Classique, Provence, France.
The latest set of Bandol Rouge from the iconic Domaine Tempier are some of best yet from this very famous estate and show vibrant fruit, powerful tannins and focused detail, I love each and everyone of the Crus and especially this basic red, called by most the Cuvee Classique. This vintage is a blend of 75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 2% Carignan, no Syrah added here and is all organic, they are studying biodynamic methods, and the vines are all over 40 years old set in rocky clay and limestone, it shows the dominate Mourvedre throughout and has a deep almost black hue, this 2014 is really a classic or traditional vintage after some inconsistent years, while I adore the 2013 for it’s lighter frame and easy drinking as a young wine, it doesn’t have the feel and concentration of this 2014, and while hugely enjoyable this new wines will be 20 to 30 year wines and offer a great value for such cellar worthy reds. Impressive life force and layers intrigue in these wines, and the 2014 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge expresses lots of pure earthy/spicy fruit density along with meaty side notes, plus mineral, stony elements as well as ground pepper, fresh cut lavender, iron and dried violets. The nose gives bright floral, red berry, tar and minty herbs before leading to a gripping palate of plum, black cherry, wild berry and currant fruits with mixed spice, licorice, savory leather, loam and dust with mouth coating tannins that are not harsh, but persistent and chalky, air allows the fruit core to take back over and if you drink this Bandol young, best to decant and serve with robust cuisine, it is certainly a class act and wonderfully complete, complex and engaging. This is a gorgeous set of wines from Tempier, this is a super effort in particular, but both the Tourtine, my personal favorite and the massive Cabassaou, which is almost all Mourvdere and older vines, is almost perfection with amazing depth, flair and potential!
($45 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive