At a glance

Producer

Domaine Tempier

Region

Bandol, Provence, France

Grape variety

Predominantly Mourvèdre (with Grenache, Cinsault, and Carignan)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$50-$85 USD (750ml retail, as of mid-2024)

Tasting profile

Vivid blackberry, black plum, garrigue, with hints of leather, spice, and earth. Tannins still mouth-coating; fresh minerality. Some floral and herbal notes.

Evolution: With age, tertiary notes of tobacco, dried herbs, truffle, and game will emerge, while tannins soften and fruit integrates.

At peak: Fully integrated aromas and flavors, with a complex, savory, and silken palate at peak maturity.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-high, supporting freshness and longevity

Tannins

Medium-plus to high, firm but refined

Alcohol

14-14.5% ABV (typical for this vintage)

Aging potential

High for a Bandol; 12-20 years in optimal conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2026 to 2030

Optimal window

2024 to 2032

Current status

Entering its early optimal drinking period but still youthful

Current condition

Structured and vibrant, with emerging secondary notes; will improve with further cellaring.

Bandol Mourvèdre gains nuance and loses youthful austerity with cellar age. 2018's structure promises a plateau of excellence from the late 2020s through early 2030s, when fresh fruit, savory, and earthy elements are optimally balanced.

Food pairing

Slow-braised lamb, game birds, wild mushroom ragout, Provençal stews, hearty Mediterranean dishes, aged hard cheeses.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has medium-plus to high tannins, which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its flavors. Decanting for about 30 minutes will help to open up the wine and improve its aromatic profile.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

No synthetic pesticides/herbicides used; cover cropping, manual harvesting, minimal intervention in winery. Some renewable energy use; moderate water stewardship. Traditional packaging (glass bottle, cork).

Domaine Tempier is a regional leader in sustainable viticulture, with long-standing organic practices, biodiversity emphasis, and careful vineyard management. Glass bottle weight and lack of broader sustainability certifications (Fair Trade, ISO 14001, etc.) keep the score just below maximum. Practices have steadily improved, and later vintages are fully certified organic.