Vintage Domaine Tempier Bandol La Migoua 2018

Bandol Rouge is one of the world’s greatest crossover wines. It’s New World-esq’ power is perfectly tempered by the nuanced, earthy and savoury characteristics which are quintessentially Old World. Thanks to the region’s limestone soil, Bandol’s red wines have a distinct freshness and fine structure, appealing to those who love the classically styled wines of the Rhône.

La Migoua is the top vineyard of Tempier’s estate, consisting of 11 hectares of scattered parcels of vines circled by wild scrubland. Amazingly complex soil with wide exposure to the sun (east, west and south) and protection from the Mistral winds. The Migoua wine is aged for a minimum of 18 months in French oak to allow maximum complexity and ageability.

Now 5 years old, it is starting to reveal its ageing complexity, alongside the young and fresh fruit flavours that are still very much present in a wine that has the ability to age 20+ years but is already drinking beautifully. Earthy, deep and very dark in colour. On the nose, it has spicy, black fruit aromas with a subtle pepperiness. Overall wonderful mouthfeel with a juicy attack and softer on the backend; a well-made structure of intense blackberry and cherry flavours, bramble and smoke. The lingering finish has an edge of fruit sweetness alongside fine tannins, letting you savour every mouthfeel. Whilst £70 is not a small price tag for a red wine, if this producer and top wine of the estate were in Bordeaux, you would be looking at £250+ for what this Migoua delivers.