2009 Bandol Tourtine

More classic in style than the decadent ’08, the 2009 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Tourtine (roughly 80% Mourvedre and the rest Cinsault and Grenache) is deeply colored (although not opaque) and delivers a thrilling bouquet of spiced red and black fruits, licorice, leather, sappy underbrush, and floral characteristics. There’s hints here of underlying Mourvedre meatiness and minerality, but at the moment, this is beautifully pure and perfumed. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a firm, structured core that continues to become more and more prominent over the evening, this beautifully refined, yet muscular La Tourtine should either be consumed pop-n-pour, or cellared for a solid 4-6 years. It’s a beauty, but there’s a wallop of tannin to integrate.