In 2016, Tempier purchased Domaine de la Laidière, a 20-ha estate. Lucien Peyraud, one of the pioneers of the appellation, had always considered the estate excellent. Daniel Ravier, who now is in charge of running the Tempier estate, had begun working with Laidière a few years prior to the purchase.
Laidière had been know in particular for its white and rosé wines, an indication of the fresher terroirs of its vines, important given global warming. 2018 will be the first vintage that the grapes enter into Domaine Tempier’s wines. But I tasted the reds from 2014 and 2015 (Tempier purchased the existing stocks and so now is marketing them) and also was able to taste the 2014 Tempier cuvée classique for comparison.
In addition, on my visit to the estate last month, I was also able to taste the 2017 La Migoua and Cabassaou from barrel sample. The Tourtine was being bottled that day, and so was not available, and I also did not have a chance to taste the 2017 cuvée . 2017 was a very dry vintage, with harvesting from 28 August to 12 September. Quantities are low — 16 hl/ha overall — and the quality looks to be excellent.
2018 is a vintage with plenty of mildew, thereby seriously restricting production. Harvesting was quite long, from 27 August to 25 September. Other than the rosé (reviewed in the previous post), I did not taste the 2018s, but expect early-drinking wines.
Domaine de la LAIDIÈRE
2014 Bandol
This wine is drinking quite well now with earthy, dark Mourvèdre fruit and overall elegance — one can see the cooler terroir here. 80% Mourvèdre, the rest Grenache and Cinsault. 14.0% stated alcohol. 90/B+
2015 Bandol
The 2015 version of Laidière is firmer, younger, juicier in its fruit than the 2014 and shows more power and tannin. 14.5% stated alcohol. 90/B+
Domaine TEMPIER
2014 Bandol
To compare to the Domaine de la Laidière, I was offered a taste of the 2014 Domaine Tempier Bandol cuvée classique. Last year, I provided notes on two different bottlings of this wine — I expect that this is the non-American bottling (I didn’t catch the lot number of what I tasted here), but either way the wine now is markedly improved from the way I perceived those wines at the time. Compared to the Domaine de la Laidière, this wine shows greater depth, density, elegance, power, and length and is delicious for drinking now. 92/A
2017 Bandol La Migoua
The nose here is intense and pure, The mouth is deep and spicy with classic Migoua texture. It should develop into at least and outstanding wine, perhaps more. (93-95)
2017 Bandol Cabassaou
Another great wine in the making here. More mineral and structured than the Migoua, this wine is long with a stony texture and tremendous promise. (94-96)