2020 Domaine Tempier, ‘Lulu & Lucien’ Bandol Rouge, Provence, France

Producer: The Ultimate Winemaking house in Bandol. When Lucie Tempier ‘Lulu’ married Lucien Peyraud in1936, her father Alfonse, gave them Domaine Tempier, an active farm that had been in the family since 1834.  The bottle label was designed by Lucie’s father, Tartan boats from Bandol harbor. Lucien  became known as the spiritual father of Bandol, Lulu was the ambassador for their wines & the memory of her legendary hospitality &  provencal cooking  lives on, she passed at the age of 103 , soon after the 2020 harvest.  Today Daniel Ravier manages the domain, maintaining  the traditional house style; Lulu & Lucien’s children remain on the board of directors.

Place: In the heart of the Bandol appellation on the Mediterranean, in Provence south east France.

Cultivation: Organic & biodynamic practices, farming process is aligned with the lunar calendar.

Varietal: 75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 2% Carignan

Bottling: Since the 2020 release, the flagship ‘Classic’ cuvee has been renamed to ‘Lulu & Lucien’, honoring their memory.

Soil: Clay, Limestone

Winemaking: Clusters are destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeast  in concrete vat for 4 weeks, aged in oak cask for 20 months before bottling.

Tasting Notes:  Hearty & Perfumed – Garrigue – Velvety Tannin