Tempier Tasting

I had never tried a tempier before, so I was excited to come to this tasting.

My first time tasting a tempier rose, and I wasn't impressed...

• 2008 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé 81 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Bit funky nose, minerally, still has good fruit; palate is full bodied, odd, bitter, reminds me of chardonnay; clean finish, creamy. 81-82

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

There were exactly three wines of these eight that I really enjoyed. Overall I was quite disappointed with the group and there were even a few wines that I wouldn't drink. A few patterns that I noticed:
1) The two Tempier blends (ie. not single vineyard wines) were my last two wines of the tasting, even worse than the corked wine. At least the corked wine had a nose.
2) The 1982 Tempier single vineyard wines showed consistently well and were among my favorite wines of the tasting.

• 1987 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Migoua 90 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  My #3, Group's #6. Nose has nice red dusty fruits, lovely; palate shows a bit of wood? Overall very good.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1985 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Migoua 82 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  My #4, Group's #3. Nose has nice salinity, fades quickly, simple; palate is a bit tannic, nice fruit; short finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1982 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Migoua 90 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  My #2, group's #2. Lovely fresh aromas, licorice, dark fruits, understated; palate has structured tannins, great fruit, moderate length finish. 90-91

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1988 Domaine Tempier Bandol 80 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  My #7, group's #5. Hidden nose, tired, tannic, no fruit left; integrated tannins, low fruit; finish is moderate length. Overall quite over the hill.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1985 Domaine Tempier Bandol 80 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  My #8, Group's #4. Nose is reticent, palate flavorless and woody. I didn't enjoy this at all.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1987 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Louffe 81 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  My #5, Group's #7. A bit madeirized, nose is reticent but nice with some fruit; palate has nice balance, structured but integrated tannins, low fruit; moderate fruity finish, lovely. 81-82

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1987 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale Cabassaou Flawed

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #8, my #6 (Yes, I thought other wines were worse than a corked wine.) Cheesy nose, reticent aromas, very short bitter finish. Flawed.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1982 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Tourtine 91 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  My #1, group's #1. Amazing, funky, intense nose with complex red fruits and dusty aromas; palate is still very fresh with good fruit; moderate length finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Opened to serve with some amazing lamb and potatoes. This was an excellent wine, though extraordinary young. The food was superb as well. Many thanks to the chef!

• 2007 J.L. Chave Sélection Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Inky black/violet; nose is expressive, a touch hot, spicy black fruits, lovely floral violet and jasmine; palate is acidic, effervescent; clean tingly finish of moderate length. Very young and much room for improvement, but very nice. 91++

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Overall a great experience, though perhaps not the best showing for the wines. Still, I generally liked the style and so I will try these wines again if given the chance.