Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge La Tourtine 2023

If there's a single vineyard that captures the essence of old-school, age-worthy Bandol, it's La Tourtine. Perched above the Mediterranean with clay-limestone soils and full southern exposure, this site gives Mourvèdre the structure and concentration it needs to truly shine.

The wine is brooding at first: blackcurrant, roasted meat, leather, and bay leaf, with hints of dried thyme and iron-rich earth. But give it air, and it starts to open—revealing violet, plum, and a savory, ferrous edge that lingers long after the glass is empty. Decant if drinking young, or lay it down for 10–15 years to watch it blossom into something truly profound.