Cuvee notes: Each vintage, fans of Domaine Tempier will engage in fervent arguments in favor of their preferred single-vineyard cuvée. The choice is never easy, with Migoua, Tourtine, and Cabassaou each offering distinct qualities bound to appeal to different palates. While each cuvée—and any Bandol red, for that matter—offers earthy black fruit, wild herbaceous qualities, and chewy, almost rustic tannins, La Tourtine perhaps best expresses the paradoxical combination of power and elegance that is a trademark of the Domaine's wines. One of the best terroirs in the appellation, La Tourtine is a terraced hillside whose southern exposure at the top of a hill gives it ample exposure to the elements—namely, the fierce Provençal sun and incessant howl of the mistral. Deep clay soils yield rich, dense wines while a high proportion of Mourvèdre, including some very old vines, ensure that concentration is never lacking. In the 2017, you'll find sumptuous black fruit backed by a thick, fleshy tannic structure, plus hints of pine forest, sun-baked clay, and resinous garrigue. Drinkable now with the aeration but endowed with solid aging potential, the 2017 Tourtine is certain to animate debates among impassioned Tempier drinkers for years to come."