DOMAINE TEMPIER - Rosé 2025
In Bandol, Domaine Tempier holds a foundational place in the modern history of the appellation. The family estate, established at Plan du Castellet, owes much of its renown to Lucien and Lulu Peyraud, who passionately defended Mourvèdre and helped to recognize the uniqueness of the Bandol vineyard. Even today, the estate relies on a mosaic of plots spread across hillsides, terraces, and valleys facing the Mediterranean. The clay-limestone soils, varied exposures, and maritime influence give rise to wines with a strong personality, capable of combining southern ripeness with freshness. Vineyard work remains mainly manual, with harvests carried out in small crates and rigorous attention paid to the sanitary condition of the grapes. Tempier considers its rosé a true terroir and gastronomic wine, not just a simple cuvée intended for summer consumption. Its structure, depth, and ability to evolve in the bottle clearly distinguish it from Provençal rosés built solely around lightness.
The Rosé 2025 is made from a selection of plots from the estate's different terroirs, mainly on clay-limestone soils. Mourvèdre represents about half of the blend and provides structure, aromatic complexity, and aging potential, complemented by Grenache, Cinsault, and a small proportion of Carignan. The vines have an average age of about twenty years and are hand-harvested, aiming for a level of ripeness that seeks more freshness and acidity than for reds. After sorting in the vineyard and then at the winery, the grapes are destemmed before extraction mainly by direct pressing, complemented by cold skin maceration and a very small amount of bleeding. Fermentations take place at controlled temperatures in stainless steel or concrete tanks, following an approach similar to that used for white wines. The rosé then continues its aging for several months in concrete tanks, allowing it to gain breadth without losing the clarity of the fruit. The 2025 vintage delivers a dense and energetic expression, where sunny ripeness is perfectly balanced by precise acidity.
The salmon-pink color has a delicate intensity, with slight copper reflections. The nose opens with vine peach, pomegranate, and small red fruits, before gaining notes of pink grapefruit, white flowers, and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, the attack is ample and generous, but freshness immediately maintains a clear line. Mourvèdre gives depth to the mid-palate, while Grenache and Cinsault bring fruity flesh and a supple texture, free of heaviness. Notes of ripe citrus, sweet spices, and peach skin extend a matter that is both vinous and refined. The finish, persistent and slightly saline, reminds that this rosé has enough relief to accompany a whole meal and evolve for several years in the cellar. It will find its place alongside bouillabaisse, grilled red mullet, Provençal cuisine with confit vegetables, roasted lobster, spiced poultry, or Mediterranean fish.
Grape varieties: Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan
