2012TempierBlanc2012 Domaine Tempier, Bandol Blanc, France.
Domaine Tempier’s wines are legendary, with glorious richly textured reds and the world famous Rose, sometimes it is easy to overlook the white, but make no mistake about it this Bandol Blanc is the real deal and an exotic rarity that is simply delicious from start to finish. I must admit, I adore the Mourvedre based cuvees from Tempier, the La Tourtine and La Cabassau are world class meaty reds, plus the classique Bandol AC Rouge which is no slouch either, especially the sublime 2011 vintage, but I’ll tell you, the white is a stunner and should not be missed. The 2012 Blanc from Tempier is mostly Clairette with small amounts of Ugni Blanc, Bourblanc and a touch of Marsanne, making for a refreshing and textural wine of vigor and detail with bright fruit and creamy mouth feel. The nose is citrus and stones with a palate of lemon/lime, melon, tangerine, clarified butter cream and sweet herbs. Hints of sea salt, spice and peach come though with air and as the wine opens there is a touch of almond oil and bitter stone fruit pit which gives the wine a nice balancing tanginess, drink this lovely wine with seafood, from shellfish to fish stew, and well, with anything you want, it is a suburb and compelling white. This Southern French white reminds me a bit of Beaucastel’s Chateauneuf white, though still very much it’s own unique wine and better still it is less than half the price of Beaucastel’s Roussanne based cuvee, Tempier is riding high, the last few vintages are stellar efforts and seriously appealing. Drink the Blanc over the next 2 to 3 years, from 2014-2017 for best rewards.
($45 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive

 

avail at www.sfwtc.com ($39.95)

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