Tempier Bandols from the '80s Blindtasted

Introduction by tasting organizer Ross Bott
Tonight we will have a special tasting of Bandols from Domaine Tempier, the most highly regarded domaine in Bandol and, for many, all of Provence. We will have eight Tempiers from three outstanding vintages: 1985, 1988, and 1989. Tempiers have a reputation for being virtually ageless, developing into wonderful polished reds reminiscent of Cote Roties with a couple decades of age.

I'm a big fan of mature Tempier, and I quite enjoyed this tasting. My rankings (and the group's) were pretty well scattered among the vintages and the cuvees. These were definitely quite mature and resolved, and not as reminiscent of old Bordeaux or Burgs as the Tempiers I've had from the 90s. I quite enjoyed them on their own, but would have killed to be tasting them with Osso Bucco after Mark Sutherland suggested it.

• 1985 Domaine Tempier Bandol 93 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #1 (my #3) – 38 pts; 3 first place votes, 2 seconds, 1 third, 1 last place vote – shitake and porcini mushroom nose; tasty, most like a mature Bordeaux of the lot, elegant, tart, a little meaty, resolved tannins, medium-plus finish, 93+ pts.

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• 1989 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Migoua 93 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #2 (my #4) – 43 pts; 2, 1, 2 , 1 - light beef bouillon and truffle nose; sweeter on palate than most, with elegant balance, light medium bodied, lovely acid; long finish

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• 1988 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale 95 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #3 (my #1) – 45 pts; 2, 1, 1, 1 – higher toned tawny and beef bouillon nose, that change to raspberry and violet after 40 minutes in the glass; more concentrated, medium bodied, sweet, elegant with tart-sweet red fruit; long tart cherry finish

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• 1985 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Migoua 94 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #4 (my #2) – 47 pts; 1, 3, 1, 1 - pungent balsamic, raspberry and soy nose; nice, complex, elegant, mature fruit, sweet, balsamic, raspberry, long finish 94+ pts.

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• 1985 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Tourtine 91 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #5 (my #7) – 49 pts.; 1, 1, 2, 0 - Balsamic and porcini nose; tasty, mature, balsamic with note of iodine, light bodied, medium-plus finish 91+ pts.

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• 1988 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale Cabassaou 91 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #6 (my #8) – 57 pts.; 1, 1, 1, 3 – bright mushroom and truffle nose; light medium bodied, tart, hint of chlorine, but rather one dimensional compared to the rest; medium finish

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• 1989 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Tourtine 92 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #7 (my #5) – 59 pts.; 0, 1, 2, 0 - light Balsamic, savory and creamy tomato nose; very resolved, tart red fruit and balsamic, medium bodied; medium-plus finish 92+ pts.

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• 1988 Domaine Tempier Bandol 92 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Group's #8 (my #6) – 60 pts.; 1, 1, 1, 4 – nice light shitake mushroom nose; Balsamic and good acid, like a nice older Barolo, with hints of strawberry and raspberry and mushroom; medium-plus finish

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