2007 Domaine Tempier Bandol - France, Provence, Bandol (1/5/2023)
Hard to believe, but it’s been eight years since I last tasted a proper bottle of red Tempier (I had a corked one in 2018). I have been drinking tons of Mourvèdre based wines, but not Tempier, as my head kept saying “let them age.” I finally grabbed a bottle of the 2007, and wow was it delicious. Deep red/black fruit, elements of soy, herb and a deep, resonating earthiness. Still has firm back end tannins, but so much material to buffer them that it could be decades before this wine gets fully mature. The savory core hums along for as long as one wants to follow the tune. Classic and compelling.