The UnCorker

2000 Bandol Domaine Tempier

March 24, 2009 | In WINE REVIEWS | No Comments

So much has been written about Domaine Tempier by Robert Parker, Kermit Lynch, and everybody else with a pen or keyboard that we at The UnCorker thought it would be remiss to not do a bit of the same after having a bottle of their 2000 Bandol with a hanger steak a poivre last night. This is their entry level, a blend from all of their vineyards and a relative bargain at $30 bucks.

Bandol is a tiny AOC on the Provencal Mediterraenean- here, Mouvedre is king, and it produces lush, powerfully long lived wines. This blessed chunk of land is rugged, covered in aromatic herbs, has an abundance of sunshine, and is overrun with tourists from May through September.  The much heralded Domaine Tempier is the producer par excellence, though several other can occasionally give them a run for the money. The Bandol Rose produced here is often considered the finest in France. Grenache and Cinsaut are grown and allowed in the AOC, and really shine in the rose.

The 2000 Bandol from Domaine Tempier starts with whiffs of bacon fat, garrigue and wet earth. some dark berries follow with a palate that mirrors the nose and also has some smoke, tar and a bloody minerality that complemented my red meat so perfectly, I swear I almost cried. Decant Decant Decant