Ultimate Provence

Domaine de Trévallon

Rouge Vin de Pays des Bouches-du-Rhône Cabernet-Syrah Blend 1999

These don’t thrill me. Can’t argue with the balance, tho. — 9 days ago

Severn, David and 2 others liked this

Domaine de Terrebrune

Bandol Mourvedre Blend 2013

2013 vintage. Drinking great. Red berries. Earthy. Tobacco. Medium body. — a month ago

Clos Ste. Magdeleine

Cassis Blanc Marsanne Blend 2023

Delicious. Mineral. White flowers. A bit of salinity. Drinking it en France with my sister makes it all the more special. — a month ago

Château d'Esclans

Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend

Minerality, crispness, mostly dry…a profile I love. I was pleasantly surprised by this find at Fred Meyer!
— 10 days ago

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Rosé Blend 2023

2023 is a good vintage — 25 days ago

Domaine Tempier

Cuvée La Tourtine Bandol Mourvedre Blend 2020

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

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Paul and 17 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Vanessa I adore Tempier. Personally, I personally think Pradeaux make slightly more accessible Bandol Rouge in their youth
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Paul J Yes!! 🙌🏻 Cheers to sipping these beautiful wines while reading and exploring with Kermit Lynch! 🥂🥂
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Jay Kline I think you’re spot on 🎯 that La Tourtine could go forever… this wine is clearly young and has so much runway ahead of it yet. And we love Pradeaux, too! 🍷🍷

Château de Pibarnon (Comte de Saint Victor)

Bandol Mourvedre Blend 1998

17+ Still plenty of fruit! A little brown at rim, but otherwise little sign that it’s 26 years old, except that tannins all gone and a lot of deposit. — 22 days ago

Cibonne

Cuvée Spéciale Côtes de Provence Tibouren 2023

Funky, light yet super earthy! It's a must buy. — a month ago

Ott

By.Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend 2022

Vintage 2022 — a month ago

Doug, Tom and 7 others liked this

Domaine Tempier

Cuvée Spéciale La Migoua Bandol Mourvedre Blend 1988

[En Magnum.] Medium-dark color, some Brett aromas, fruit still pretty youthful, loads of structure still in this Bandol, long finish, very good! — 2 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Paul, Bob and 11 others liked this