Vanessa

9.2

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. — 2 months ago

with Deked1

David Shaw

9.0

Purple red, very good clarity, medium pigment extraction. Cherry, raspberry aromas with some barrel wood. On initial pour, cola, black pepper and sour plum. Soft mouthfeel but slightly bitter finish. Needs time to open. After two hours, flavors resolve into tart plum and some cola with slight pomegranate finish, mild skin astringency, good balance, almost no bitterness. A different take from previous vintages but solid rendition of the variety. — 10 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2020 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a terrific appellation-level wine. Hints of pear, mint, lemon peel and white flowers all grace this expressive, sculpted Chardonnay from Brewer-Clifton. My only quibble is a slightly aggressive edginess that hopefully will soften over time. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Henschke is better known for its stellar old vine Shiraz like Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone and others. I didn’t realise that they made a Pinot Noir until I went to the Henschke master class weekend with Steven and Pru Henschke. This comes from the Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. This wine has a lovely red fruited nose with a toffee note. The palate shows a dirty strawberry on the light to medium weight palate but exhibits mid palate intensity carrying its 18 years of age with ease. I should find out if Henschke have persisted with the style because it is excellent but I don’t see it offered anywhere. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The final few wines from the Henschke weekend at Spicers Peak Lodge. The Wheelwright Vineyard was planted in 1968 in the Eden Valley by Cyril Henschke. Has the same Sage and Pepper characters similar to Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace. Crushed herb characters and red fruit. Full bodied and promising a long cellar life. HH says to 2036. The wines name pays tribute to the founder, Johann Christian Henschke who established the family winery in 1868. He arrived as a skilled stonemason and wheelwright. — 6 months ago

Will Bean

9.4

This is in a sweet spot. Perfect balance of earth, acidity, fruit. Best PN from Oregon I’ve had in a long time. Stellar. — 7 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is a non vintage blend and where the Hendricks fruit goes when Charles doesn’t deem it perfect for his private label Hendricks. This is what I miss from the new winemaker at James Cole, it is very elegant.

The palate is round, lush, ruby, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, blue fruit hues. Dark and milk chocolate-more dark, caramel, black and some red licorice/cola, herbaceous notes, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, sandalwood, barrel powder, soft Indian spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark, rich soil, a fresh dark and mid red floral bouquet, excellent round acidity with a well structured, knitted, very well balanced and polish for days. Lasts two minutes plus. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.8

A gorgeous nose. I can see why Stephen and Pru matched this with the 2019. Elegant even though from a hot year - shows the brilliance of those 160 year old deep rooted vines. More mature earthy notes than the 2019 showing leathery aromatics. Like the 2019, elegant yet intense with silky and velvety tannins. A brilliant wine. A privilege to taste this. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

This is the current release of Hill of Grace, the 2019, priced at $975AUD and incredibly Sold Out according to the website. Matched with the 2008 as both were from hot years. Initially a sooty, minerally earthy note on the nose. Then came Satuma Plum, blackberry, spice and pepper. Stephen said only 25% to 30% of the normal volume for sale. (Hence the Sold Out). He let us in on a secret that there will be no 2020 released. I asked if the fruit is used in another Cuvée. The answer is No - the grapes are removed and thrown out. Seems a waste. He went on to explain that H of G has a different spice character to Edelstone - more of an Asian spice. Mostly used oak is used to lessen the oak influence. Elegant yet intense and without a doubt one of the world’s great wines. Will live for decades. — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.4

This is a gorgeous 15 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates, tobacco, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

Showing great complexity on the nose and palate.

Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Good right out of the bottle and good by itself. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$200. — 9 months ago