At a glance

Producer

Domaine Tempier

Region

Bandol, Provence, France

Grape variety

Mourvèdre-dominant blend (Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, others)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$45-$65

Tasting profile

Notes of ripe dark berries, leather, garrigue herbs, earth, and subtle spice with firm tannic backbone.

Evolution: Over 5-10 years expect more complex tertiary aromas of forest floor, dried herbs, and smoky nuances.

At peak: Rich, layered and complete palate with silky tannins and lingering savory finish.

Structure

Acidity

Medium+ acidity providing freshness and balance

Tannins

Firm and fine-grained, well-integrated

Alcohol

14.0% ABV

Aging potential

20+ years due to structured tannins and balanced acidity

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2042

Optimal window

2023 to 2045

Current status

Developing, early maturity

Current condition

Wine is approachable with some aeration but will benefit greatly from additional aging to reach full complexity.

Domaine Tempier’s Bandol Rouge with its Mourvèdre backbone benefits from lengthy maturation to soften robust tannins and develop complex tertiary aromatics, typical for quality Bandol red wines especially from a very good vintage like 2017.

Food pairing

Ideal with hearty Provençal dishes such as braised lamb, wild boar stew, ratatouille, aged cheeses, and game birds.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften tannins and open intense aromatics before serving

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Domaine Tempier employs organic farming, minimal intervention winemaking; energy efficient cellar, water conservation strategies; uses eco-friendly packaging where possible.

As a respected traditional estate in Bandol, Domaine Tempier focuses on organic grape growing with sustainable viticulture practices, reducing chemical inputs and promoting biodiversity. They also employ energy-efficient cellar management and seek to minimize packaging waste. While local sales have limited carbon emissions, international shipping contributes to overall footprint.