Tempier Bandol ‘La Tourtine' 2023
This wine is made from grapes grown on a terroir near the village of Le Castellet. The vineyard sits high up on the hillside, on average 170m above sea level, and has relatively homogenous soil comprised of chalk and clay on top of 100 million year old rock. The Mourvedre vines flourish on this terroir producing excellent wines that are powerful, tannic and fruity. La Tourtine comprises 70–80% Mourvedre depending on the year. Frequently windswept by the mistral, this vineyard is particularly well exposed, resulting in a wine with long ageing potential that retains its red berry and spice aromas even after 10 to 15 years. Winery note.
The La Tourtine parcel lies at a slightly lower elevation, in the Castellet region, and is more homogeneously clay soils. This parcel yields a powerful, rich, concentrated and surprisingly polished Bandol that has the fruit and texture to impress in its youth, yet the concentration to age beautifully. Jeb Dunnuck, robertparker.com
Located near Castellet, this terroir is extremely windy but also exposed to the sun from sunrise to sunset. The soil is composed of sandstone and marl of the Santonien (75-90 Ma); gypsum can be found on the surface. Although located at the top of the hill, the soil is relatively deep with a lot of clay. The vines mature easily on the hillside favorable to mourvedre. It is said that mourvedre likes to look at the sea with its feet in the water (in other words with sufficient water supplies).
La Tourtine blends power and elegance. The cuvee is selected from this exceptional terroir of only 5.5 hectares.
Mourvedre (~85%), with Grenache and Cinsault.
Average age of the vines: 45-50 years.
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 fermentation thanks to indigenous yeasts.
Aging - In large oak vats for 18 months before being bottled.
Conservation: from 5 to 20 years depending on one’s taste. And even longer if affinities… Domaine Tempier.
