Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge "La Tourtine" 2018 [1.5L MAGNUM]
(Bandol, Provence, France)

One of the crown jewels of Provence, Domaine Tempier produces world-class red, white and rosé wines from their organically farmed Bandol estate. This bottling is in honor of Peyraud family matriarch Lucie, better known to all as "Lulu."

From Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant: "When Lucie 'Lulu' Tempier married Lucien Peyraud in 1936, her father gave them Domaine Tempier, an active farm that had been in the family since 1834, near Le Plan du Castellet, just outside the Mediterranean seaport village of Bandol. Tasting a pre-phylloxera bottle of Domaine Tempier Bandol (a wedding gift from his father-in-law) inspired Lucien to research the terroir of Bandol extensively. Up until that point, old vineyards planted with Mourvèdre had been systematically replanted to higher-yielding varietals. However, more research not only showed its historical roots to the area, but the grape proved to be more resistant to oxidation, producing wines with great aging potential. By 1941, with the assistance of neighboring vignerons, Lucien worked with the I.N.A.O. (Institut National des Appellations d’Origines) to establish Bandol as its own A.O.C. Raising deep and structured wines of such refinement and longevity has made Domaine Tempier truly a grand cru de Provence."