Tempier Bandol ‘Cuvee Cabassaou’ 2023

This small terroir located in the lower part of the La Tourtine vineyard benefits from specific winegrowing conditions: sheltered from the Mistral wind by the headland of Le Castellet , a gentle breeze always blows up its terraced slopes while the south-south-westerly exposition ensures maximum sunshine. These exceptional conditions allow the Mourvedre (95% of the terroir’s production) to reach its ideal ripeness. The low yield makes the Cabassaou a rare cuvée. Robust and powerful with dense tannins, it often surprises those lucky enough to taste it: Cabassaou is an exemplary wine. Winery Note. 

The smallest parcel is the Cabassaou, which lies below the Tourtine parcel in a more sheltered, warmer terroir. This cuvee has the highest percentage of Mourvèdre (upwards of 95%), as well as some of the oldest vines of the estate. It shares similarities to the Tourtine cuvee and is a rich, powerful, seriously impressive wine that every wine lover should taste once (preferably more) in their life.’ Jeb Dunnuck, robertparker.com 

The Cabassaou cuvee (a cabasse = gives a hefty punch) is from a terroir with small stone walls, at the bottom of the Tourtine, protected from the Mistral wind. The vines benefit from a very warm micro-climate with thermal winds. Paradoxically the vines are located at the bottom of the hill but the soil is not deep and the yields are very small. They give a very dense, tight wine, typically Mourvedre , with an exceptional aging potential.

Mourvedre (92 to 94%), with Syrah and a bit of Cinsault.

Average age of the vines: 60 years minimum.

Vinification - the grapes are hand-selected in the vineyard and in the cellar; de-stemmed, crushed and put into concrete vats for 3 or 4 weeks to ferment thanks to indigenous yeasts.

Aging - In large oak vats for 18 months before being bottled.

Conservation: 10 years or more (time to let the wine flourish). Domaine Tempier.