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2013 Bandol Rouge

Domaine Tempier
Discount Eligible $46.00
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I have vivid memories of Domaine Tempier vintages starting with their perfect 1970. I’ve lived with almost all of them over many years from the time each was born. Their 2013s remind me of another of my old favorites, 1981, which was very similar in style to the 1981 Bordeaux vintage, also a personal favorite. In fact, I just had a great bottle of 1981 Château Batailley in a Provençal restaurant for a measly 150 euros. Lucky for me, the press deified 1982.
    The Tempier 2013s are ripe but refined, too. They are balanced with a tight core, a good sign for aging. They are also already aromatic—black, black cherry and garrigue. Enjoyable yesterday when I last tasted them, they will develop great complexity with bottle age. In other words, uncork one whenever you are in the mood.—Kermit Lynch

Technical Information
Wine Type: red
Vintage: 2013
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: 75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 2% Carignan
Appellation: Bandol
Country: France
Region: Provence
Producer: Domaine Tempier
Winemaker: Daniel Ravier
Vineyard: 40 + years
Soil: Clay, Limestone
Aging: Aged in oak foudres (25 to 50 hl) for 18 to 20 months
Farming: Organic
Alcohol: 14%

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About The Region

Provence

map of Provence

Perhaps there is no region more closely aligned with the history to Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant than Provence. Provence is where Richard Olney, an American ex-pat and friend of Alice Waters, lived, and introduced Kermit to the great producers of Provence, most importantly Domaine Tempier of Bandol. Kermit also spends upwards of half his year at his home in a small town just outside of Bandol.

Vitis vinifera first arrived in France via Provence, landing in the modern day port city of Marseille in the 6th century BC. The influence of terroir on Provençal wines goes well beyond soil types. The herbs from the pervasive scrubland, often referred to as garrigue, as well as the mistral—a cold, drying wind from the northwest that helps keep the vines free of disease—play a significant role in the final quality of the grapes. Two more elements—the seemingly ever-present sun and cooling saline breezes from the Mediterranean—lend their hand in creating a long growing season that result in grapes that are ripe but with good acidity.

Rosé is arguably the most well known type of wine from Provence, but the red wines, particularly from Bandol, possess a great depth of character and ability to age. The white wines of Cassis and Bandol offer complexity and ideal pairings for the sea-influenced cuisine. Mourvèdre reigns king for red grapes, and similar to the Languedoc and Rhône, Grenache, Cinsault, Marsanne, Clairette, Rolle, Ugni Blanc among many other grape varieties are planted.

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Terroirs

Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.

Inspiring Thirst, page 312