Variety: Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault

According to importer Kermit Lynch, no other winemaker stands more in the defense of terroir than the Peyraud family of Domaine Tempier. When Lulu Tempier married Lucien Peyraud, her father gave them the domaine, an active farm that had been in the family for 100 years. After tasting a pre-phylloxera bottle of Tempier Bandol, Lucien was inspired to research the terroir. Up until then, old vineyards planted with Mourvèdre had been regularly replanted to higher-yielding varieties. More research not only showed its historical roots to the area, but the grape proved to be more resistant to oxidation. Lucien worked with neighboring winemakers and the I.N.A.O. to establish Bandol as its own AOC. Replanting of Mourvèdre began; Bandol now requires a fifty percent minimum in all reds. Lucien has been paraded as the godfather of Bandol, but also as the man who revived Mourvédre to its former glory.

Tempier rosé is considered the greatest rosé by many collectors. The wine ages well (rare for a rosé), the demand is high and the allocations are low. This latest vintage is ready to be cellared and enjoyed down the line, or to be opened on your patio tonight! The blend is about half Mourvèdre, and the rest divided between Grenache and Cinsault.