Seeing that most of the tasting notes described this as past peak I had my expectations properly low. But this was showing beautifully. No decant just PNP. Cork came out pristine, no signs of seepage or poor storage. Nose was beautiful and profound. Tobacco, baked earth, and ripe cherries. Tannins fully resolved. Silky texture. Loads of macerated cherry, ripe prunes, and medjool dates. Tobacco and graphite. Acidity was M+. Truly exceptional. No drop off and after a few hours started to pick up violets on the nose. Oldest Tempier I'd had before this was a 2003 La Migoua that I would only place just a notch above this. Whoever cellared this before I got my hands on it thank you!
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Clearly past it's peak but surprisingly enjoyable. Not so brawny, but still some red fruit there. The typical barnyard, gamey flavors of Mourvedre are muted but still there
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no decant; 18c; dusty bricked-red; nose of barn and rust, cherry tobacco; intense grip, long finish; loads of metal and schist, raspberries, cranberries, cherries, tobacco, mint, black licorice; on day two descends deeper into mystery: a great QPR (because, who knows Bandol?); 18.5
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This will determine if you really like Mourvèdre as it has the stereotypical notes of barnyard, meat, gaminess, and earth notes. I liked it, the wife not so much as the barnyard was pushing the horse envelope.
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no decant; 18c; clean, bricked-red; nose of barn and moist, rusty metal, cherry tobacco; mouth-ripping grip (hellooo tannins), long finish; loads of metal and schist, raspberries, cranberries, cherries, tobacco, mint, black licorice; sings like a 'spinto' tenor (after more air begins to reveal some enticing mystery); rest of the bottle on day two was still compelling: 18.5
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Dry as a bone. Massive wine. Stored perfectly since purchased. Still very drinkable with food. Big hearty dishes. Must have been a beast ten years ago. Mourvèdre still very prevelant. Slight TCA detected.
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Bright red. Good cork. Light in texture, meaty, gamey, with some ripe blackberry notes on the finish. My first bottle of Bandol in the last decade. Just not a fan. Interesting to taste.
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Sorry for those that had a bad bottle of this, there was no barnyard, no taint on this biottle. This was a delicious and complex wine. showing age on brick brown rim. Aged, leather, meat, prune, dried cherry, dried herbs, nicely complex, but has a nice pure mineral,dark fruit streak. Medium bodied, dry, fine tannins, complex, with lots of aged tobacco, leather, iron notes to complement the cherry and currant fruit. Very minerally on the finish. Tasty and interesting. Very nice aged wine. Drinking at peak.
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This was a tasty wine and in line with what I've come to expect from Tempier....the nose was barnyard, sweaty saddle leather and dried fruits. The palate was medium bodied, silky and smooth with earthy notes and dried red fruit. Tasted side by side with an '04 La Tourtine it was night and day. A tasty wine, and drinking well...no reason to wait any longer but it will probably hold for another couple years.
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This was a tough wine. I purchased 2 bottles in 2003. I recall the first one was pretty tough to drink. There was a tremendous amount of barnyard and dark undertones to the wine. When I tried the second bottle a few nights ago, the barnyard was not as strong as I recalled, but it was still there to extent that I struggled to get through a single glass
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18c; no decant; dusty purple; nose of barn, anise, red fruit, mint; sharp attack, rigorous structure, with a long finish; prominent iron and schist, raspberries, cherries, mint, anise; tense, compelling, could cellar for years; 18.5.
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I’m so disappointed with this wine. Based on the other notes here I was looking forward to a great experience; but each of the four or five bottles I’ve had has been exactly the same – dull, uninteresting, no character, no individuality, nothing memorable.
It’s drinkable, for sure, being smooth enough to slip down; but it slips down making no impression, no impact. It has no promise and no future. I have no sense of anticipation and excitement for the remaining bottles I have of this. It is totally unimpressive in every way.
Huh.
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Opened right after dinner, a solid red with many legs in the glass. Full bodied, broad aromatics of loam, dusty barn earth, iron, blood heavy toasted oak to cedar, coal and dark fruits. Very nice structure, fat and full with maturing reds and blacks, smooth long grained tannins glide through the finish. Very nice bottle showing at this age. #53 of the WS 100 in 2003 and I can see why, though their end date of 2007 is too short....this is drinking prime if not slightly declining. Certainly will hold for five years.
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Concentrated red brick hues. Distant farmyard nose. Spice and concentrated blackberry fruits on the palate. Subtle hints of coffee and liquorice. Supple yet firm tannins on a long finish. Excellent.
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Labor Day Weekend Wine; 9/3/2010-9/6/2010 (Rapid City, SD): Great nose of spices, earth, and dusty cherry. Such a delightful bottle of wine that exhibits aged-bordeaux class. I really need to do a better job filling my cellar with this...what a great alternative to Bordeaux.
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a dull red - somewhat rustic bouquet of brambles and marzipan - fruits to the fore then quite a tannic finish - I am not sure the fruit will outlive the tannin - drink soon
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Earthy, with some high tone spice, blueberry fruit in the middle, finishes with a touch of bitterness. Tannins fairly soft in this bottle. Good acidity without being too tart. Opened nicely over several hours. Some medicinal cherry grenache flavors show up with air. I think this may be better in a year or three but was enjoyable now.
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Dark black cherryin color. Floral cherry, plum, dried herb nose. Solid structured wine. Big wild berrry fruit. Balanced well with tart acidity. I don't think that I'd go beyond 89 points but it was a really great bottle and certainly will be much better in 5 to 10 years.
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Prominent nose of rubber/tar, sweaty socks and sage or tarragon. In the mouth a full, rich velvety feel with a taste profile of stewed plum, dried cherries. Medium to long finish with fine tannins. Big wine. Have never had a Bandol, so was not used to the flavor profile of Mourvèdre. Definitely an old world wine, but polished nonetheless.
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drinking extremely well right now-not expecially rich/concentrated, but attractive aromatics, elegant palate presence and good complexity and length. very nice
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Spicy, black and brooding. Dark fruits, pepper and earth. Plenty of structure, but is approachable after the 2 hour decant. Finishes with fruit, spice, mineral and iodine.
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Spicy and brooding, good descriptors...still quite primary with definite stemminess in the midpalate. None of this was objectionable with the pasta course, but more bottle time called for
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Still rather closed at first, good backbone and tannin showing. Softened and integrated with a half hour in the glass. Should have decanted. Dark Fruits, Mourvedre shows through in the very Bandol way.
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Spicy, brooding, tons going on. This needs a lot more time than the hour or so we gave it in the decanter.
Reticent nose, some dark fruits, roasted meat, a little leather. On the palate, plums and other dark fruits mix with licorice, leading to a moderately short, tannic finish. We killed a baby here, room for improvement with some age.
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Deep purple. Initially the nose gives off strong plum flavours, and something else - straw? Intense but one-dimensional fruit, and modest length. Finishing the bottle on day 2 it has put on weight, and tannin has emerged to provide a very satisfying finish. The off note on the nose, if that's what it was, has gone. It was a mistake not to decant it. vg-
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Deep, dark purple color. Surprisingly open on the nose and palate for a young Tempier. Already displaying textbook aromas of iodine and smoked meat, with a bit of anise/licorice in there, too. On the palate, more of the same, with some dark stonefruits as well. I was surprised at how well this is already drinking, although it certainly has the tannins and balanced structure to age well.
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About the wine: It contains the different terroirs of the whole Domaine Tempier estate. This wine contains 75% of the Mourvèdre grape depending on the vintage. It is combined with Grenache and Cinsault grapes and a tinge (3%) of old Carignan grape.
It is fruity and balanced, pleasant to drink after 3 or 4 years. It develops a fine bouquet of tertiary aromas -leather, game birds, moss - when aging. Its balance allows it to age 15 years or more.
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6/14/2021 - rawdealbuffy Likes this wine:
Seeing that most of the tasting notes described this as past peak I had my expectations properly low. But this was showing beautifully. No decant just PNP. Cork came out pristine, no signs of seepage or poor storage. Nose was beautiful and profound. Tobacco, baked earth, and ripe cherries. Tannins fully resolved. Silky texture. Loads of macerated cherry, ripe prunes, and medjool dates. Tobacco and graphite. Acidity was M+. Truly exceptional. No drop off and after a few hours started to pick up violets on the nose. Oldest Tempier I'd had before this was a 2003 La Migoua that I would only place just a notch above this. Whoever cellared this before I got my hands on it thank you!
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1/18/2021 - Bil Likes this wine: 86 Points
Clearly past it's peak but surprisingly enjoyable. Not so brawny, but still some red fruit there. The typical barnyard, gamey flavors of Mourvedre are muted but still there
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5/8/2020 - JonBarnes1 wrote: flawed
Cooked.
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5/19/2018 - tcarter Does not like this wine: 89 Points
Super tannic. Dry as can be. Not my style.
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12/26/2017 - chokkon Likes this wine:
no decant; 18c; dusty bricked-red; nose of barn and rust, cherry tobacco; intense grip, long finish; loads of metal and schist, raspberries, cranberries, cherries, tobacco, mint, black licorice; on day two descends deeper into mystery: a great QPR (because, who knows Bandol?); 18.5
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9/3/2017 - WildeMeeuw Likes this wine: 87 Points
Kleur: Fluwelig, stoffig oranjerood Aroma / bouquet: Subtiel, rijp bouquet. Fragiel. Gronderige en grassige tonen. Smaak / Afdronk: Zacht en gerijpt. Beperkte complexiteit. Mooi gerijpte tannines. Zacht maar met een duidelijke structuur en een prettige bite. Lange finale. Algemeen / potentieel: Krachtige Bandol. Mooi gerijpt, beperkte complexiteit maar aangenaam. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 10 + Smaak / Afdronk: 15 + Algemeen / potentieel: 7 = 87/100
Google Translate:
Color: Fluffy, dusty orange red Aroma / bouquet: Subtle, ripe bouquet. Fragile. Eaarthy and grassy tones. Taste / Drink: Soft and matured. Limited complexity. Beautiful ripened tannins. Soft but with a clear structure and a nice bite. Long finish. General / Potential: Powerful Bandol. Nice maturity, limited complexity but pleasant. 50+ Color: 5+ Aroma / Bouquet: 10 + Taste / Drink: 15 + General / Potential: 7 = 87/10
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11/21/2016 - brigcampbell wrote:
This will determine if you really like Mourvèdre as it has the stereotypical notes of barnyard, meat, gaminess, and earth notes. I liked it, the wife not so much as the barnyard was pushing the horse envelope.
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7/18/2015 - chokkon Likes this wine:
no decant; 18c; clean, bricked-red; nose of barn and moist, rusty metal, cherry tobacco; mouth-ripping grip (hellooo tannins), long finish; loads of metal and schist, raspberries, cranberries, cherries, tobacco, mint, black licorice; sings like a 'spinto' tenor (after more air begins to reveal some enticing mystery); rest of the bottle on day two was still compelling: 18.5
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3/29/2015 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dry as a bone. Massive wine. Stored perfectly since purchased. Still very drinkable with food. Big hearty dishes. Must have been a beast ten years ago. Mourvèdre still very prevelant. Slight TCA detected.
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6/26/2014 - rustyRudy Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Bright red. Good cork. Light in texture, meaty, gamey, with some ripe blackberry notes on the finish. My first bottle of Bandol in the last decade. Just not a fan. Interesting to taste.
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6/26/2014 - andrewdodd86 Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Not a fan. Bottle is fine. Well made, just not my cup of tea. Hated it.
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3/30/2014 - thebonnydooner wrote: 91 Points
Sorry for those that had a bad bottle of this, there was no barnyard, no taint on this biottle. This was a delicious and complex wine. showing age on brick brown rim. Aged, leather, meat, prune, dried cherry, dried herbs, nicely complex, but has a nice pure mineral,dark fruit streak. Medium bodied, dry, fine tannins, complex, with lots of aged tobacco, leather, iron notes to complement the cherry and currant fruit. Very minerally on the finish. Tasty and interesting. Very nice aged wine. Drinking at peak.
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10/13/2013 - davidga75 wrote:
This was a tasty wine and in line with what I've come to expect from Tempier....the nose was barnyard, sweaty saddle leather and dried fruits. The palate was medium bodied, silky and smooth with earthy notes and dried red fruit. Tasted side by side with an '04 La Tourtine it was night and day. A tasty wine, and drinking well...no reason to wait any longer but it will probably hold for another couple years.
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1/3/2013 - Ardross wrote: 87 Points
Dark, meaty and leather notes . Grown up wine to have with food.
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10/14/2012 - efc wrote: 75 Points
bottle was tired and over the hill. Nothing pleasant.
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9/21/2012 - moudy wrote: 82 Points
This was a tough wine. I purchased 2 bottles in 2003. I recall the first one was pretty tough to drink. There was a tremendous amount of barnyard and dark undertones to the wine. When I tried the second bottle a few nights ago, the barnyard was not as strong as I recalled, but it was still there to extent that I struggled to get through a single glass
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8/14/2012 - redders wrote: 88 Points
Good example of the standard cuvee. Leather spice and damson fruit. Good with food.
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7/23/2012 - chokkon wrote:
18c; no decant; dusty purple; nose of barn, anise, red fruit, mint; sharp attack, rigorous structure, with a long finish; prominent iron and schist, raspberries, cherries, mint, anise; tense, compelling, could cellar for years; 18.5.
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5/14/2012 - ChinaBounder wrote: 75 Points
I’m so disappointed with this wine. Based on the other notes here I was looking forward to a great experience; but each of the four or five bottles I’ve had has been exactly the same – dull, uninteresting, no character, no individuality, nothing memorable.
It’s drinkable, for sure, being smooth enough to slip down; but it slips down making no impression, no impact. It has no promise and no future. I have no sense of anticipation and excitement for the remaining bottles I have of this. It is totally unimpressive in every way.
Huh.
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3/13/2012 - FLI Likes this wine: 88 Points
A bit hot on the palate, but nice earthy nose and well structured. Fruit was rich without being jammy, which is a good thing!
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1/17/2012 - Senso-beak wrote: 91 Points
Opened right after dinner, a solid red with many legs in the glass. Full bodied, broad aromatics of loam, dusty barn earth, iron, blood heavy toasted oak to cedar, coal and dark fruits. Very nice structure, fat and full with maturing reds and blacks, smooth long grained tannins glide through the finish. Very nice bottle showing at this age. #53 of the WS 100 in 2003 and I can see why, though their end date of 2007 is too short....this is drinking prime if not slightly declining. Certainly will hold for five years.
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1/1/2012 - RunningMonkey Likes this wine: 88 Points
Concentrated red brick hues. Distant farmyard nose. Spice and concentrated blackberry fruits on the palate. Subtle hints of coffee and liquorice. Supple yet firm tannins on a long finish. Excellent.
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8/2/2011 - ronlite wrote: 92 Points
Excellent +
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3/20/2011 - FLI Likes this wine: 89 Points
Smooth, well rounded. Drinking well right now.
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2/11/2011 - timcullen wrote: 83 Points
Basti and Emma
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9/3/2010 - tooch wrote: 91 Points
Labor Day Weekend Wine; 9/3/2010-9/6/2010 (Rapid City, SD): Great nose of spices, earth, and dusty cherry. Such a delightful bottle of wine that exhibits aged-bordeaux class. I really need to do a better job filling my cellar with this...what a great alternative to Bordeaux.
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8/13/2010 - FLI Likes this wine: 90 Points
Just right. A little spice and earth. Well balanced fruit and tannins. Very enjoyable.
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5/24/2010 - FLI Likes this wine: 88 Points
The best thing about this wine is how it exemplifies mourvedre. Defines "varietally correct". Drinking well right now.
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9/16/2008 - hargy wrote: 87 Points
a dull red - somewhat rustic bouquet of brambles and marzipan - fruits to the fore then quite a tannic finish - I am not sure the fruit will outlive the tannin - drink soon
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10/22/2007 - marc d wrote:
Earthy, with some high tone spice, blueberry fruit in the middle, finishes with a touch of bitterness. Tannins fairly soft in this bottle. Good acidity without being too tart. Opened nicely over several hours. Some medicinal cherry grenache flavors show up with air. I think this may be better in a year or three but was enjoyable now.
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7/8/2007 - dawgdaze wrote: 89 Points
Dark black cherryin color. Floral cherry, plum, dried herb nose. Solid structured wine. Big wild berrry fruit. Balanced well with tart acidity. I don't think that I'd go beyond 89 points but it was a really great bottle and certainly will be much better in 5 to 10 years.
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4/16/2007 - Deb293 wrote: 89 Points
Prominent nose of rubber/tar, sweaty socks and sage or tarragon. In the mouth a full, rich velvety feel with a taste profile of stewed plum, dried cherries. Medium to long finish with fine tannins. Big wine. Have never had a Bandol, so was not used to the flavor profile of Mourvèdre. Definitely an old world wine, but polished nonetheless.
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2/21/2007 - DianeR wrote:
Dark fruit, earthy - a fascinating wine. Well-balanced and showing well, but this could use some additional age to improve.
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2/10/2007 - i musicisti di boston wrote:
drinking extremely well right now-not expecially rich/concentrated, but attractive aromatics, elegant palate presence and good complexity and length. very nice
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11/10/2006 - thomaskeil wrote: 88 Points
Spicy, black and brooding. Dark fruits, pepper and earth. Plenty of structure, but is approachable after the 2 hour decant. Finishes with fruit, spice, mineral and iodine.
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7/31/2006 - 1800kidney wrote: 88 Points
Spicy and brooding, good descriptors...still quite primary with definite stemminess in the midpalate. None of this was objectionable with the pasta course, but more bottle time called for
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1/7/2006 - PM wrote: 91 Points
Still rather closed at first, good backbone and tannin showing. Softened and integrated with a half hour in the glass. Should have decanted. Dark Fruits, Mourvedre shows through in the very Bandol way.
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12/5/2005 - espia wrote:
Very nice wild, gamy nose. A bit tart on the palate. Good.
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10/26/2005 - SacredCow wrote: 87 Points
Spicy, brooding, tons going on. This needs a lot more time than the hour or so we gave it in the decanter.
Reticent nose, some dark fruits, roasted meat, a little leather. On the palate, plums and other dark fruits mix with licorice, leading to a moderately short, tannic finish. We killed a baby here, room for improvement with some age.
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2/1/2005 - Jeff W wrote:
Deep purple. Initially the nose gives off strong plum flavours, and something else - straw? Intense but one-dimensional fruit, and modest length.
Finishing the bottle on day 2 it has put on weight, and tannin has emerged to provide a very satisfying finish. The off note on the nose, if that's what it was, has gone. It was a mistake not to decant it. vg-
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12/14/2004 - grog wrote: 90 Points
Deep, dark purple color. Surprisingly open on the nose and palate for a young Tempier. Already displaying textbook aromas of iodine and smoked meat, with a bit of anise/licorice in there, too. On the palate, more of the same, with some dark stonefruits as well. I was surprised at how well this is already drinking, although it certainly has the tannins and balanced structure to age well.
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8/20/2004 - MarkJones wrote:
About the wine: It contains the different terroirs of the whole Domaine Tempier estate. This wine contains 75% of the Mourvèdre grape depending on the vintage. It is combined with Grenache and Cinsault grapes and a tinge (3%) of old Carignan grape.
It is fruity and balanced, pleasant to drink after 3 or 4 years. It develops a fine bouquet of tertiary aromas -leather, game birds, moss - when aging. Its balance allows it to age 15 years or more.
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