Pinot at its highest mark. Intense layers cherry, plum herbs. — 13 days ago
No doubt a cut above the NV rose bottling. Full of youthful energy yet so complex and composed.
The perfumed nose shows pristine berry fruits, blood orange, Granny Smith apple, citrus zest, white floral, light brioche, and chalk. Vibrant creamy bubbles. Tastes of Ginger spice and cinnamon as well. Clean and elegant long finish.
Disgorged in 2019. — 12 days ago
Domaine Tempier is a BELOVED and legendary family-run estate, producing top quality benchmark wines from Bandol AOC in the Provence region, on the Mediterranean coast of France.
We first learned about the Tempiers when reading Kermit Lynch’s book “Adventures on the Wine Route” which offered a warm, intimate introduction to this family among others featured in the book.
As an aside “Adventures on the Wine Route” is a wonderful, in-depth look into key regions and producers of France. There’s nearly an entire chapter on Domaine Tempier in Bandol alone.
This particular wine is named after the organically-farmed vineyard from which it came – “La Tourtine” – and has 80% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, where grapes are picked by hand and the soils are still tilled by horse.
It aged in oak foudres (large oak vessels) for 18 to 20 months, leaving nary a note of new oak, but rather depth, texture and complexity from the very delicate breaths this wine took over that time aging before bottle.
It’s delicious – marked by classic meaty, leather notes, next to ripe cassis, earth, clove, anise, garrigue, not to mention texture, mouthfeel, and warmth.
This is the kind of wine we love in the fall, when braised meats and stews are on the dinner table. Or next to a roaring winter’s fire. Then again it pairs well with a summer barbeque and everything in between, too. It’s a seasonally- and culinarily-diverse wine to say the least!
What’s your go-to Bandol rouge? We’d love to hear it. — a month ago
Good, still very primary. Lots of fruit, but lacking a bit of acid. I have one bottle left that I’ll leave for a bit. Curious how this will turn out in the long run. — 14 days ago
Crisp Italian sparkling white, served with Norumbega oysters at the Caring Community Cuisine Café (fka Musette), Cape Arundel, ME — 4 days ago
Light and fresh great with sushi! — 13 days ago
Paul K
Friendsgiving 2024. Great wine, even better people — 4 days ago