As it happens, I have a 2022 Pegau rose open right now, my first. I must confess that I expected more …
Not really. My point is that to me, Tempier doesn’t really stand out as an exceptional Bandol rosé. It tastes more or less like any other Bandol rosé - with my experience I hope I would be able to discern the wine profile if it would stick out as something truly exceptional. But it has never done that - it has always been a good or decent Bamdol rosé, but nothing unlike any other Rosé from the same appellation.
For example I found that 2021 Pibarnon Rosé more enjoyable than any Tempier rosé I’ve tasted - and I didn’t even count that rosé as anything particularly atypical for Bandol!
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Um, that’s exactly what I’d call personal preference.
No, I mean I’m not questioning people’s wine preferences, ie. I’m not asking why they think Tempier is the best rosé they know; I’m asking “why Tempier specifically?”. I myself do like the wine and I can understand how people think a rosé like this is just about the best kind of rosé there is, so even on this part this is not really about preference; my point being that having tasted a good deal of Bandol rosés, I just don’t see how the wine is so different from a good number of other Bandol rosés.
Also, having tasted semi-professionally and analytically for more than a decade - about 1500 wines every year - I think, or at least hope, I know how to put personal preferences aside (or, at least as much as possible) and taste wines analytically. Now, if I tasted Tempier in a blind tasting of Bandol rosés, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to tell which wine is Tempier. From my gut impression, it just doesn’t stand out. That’s why I find it weird why so many people wax poetic how Tempier is one of the greatest rosés out there yet remain dead quiet about any other Bandol rosés. If it was such an amazing rosé, I’m pretty sure there would be something that would make it easily stand out from the crowd, but with my experience with the wine, I find this very hard to believe. Tempier is just a solid Bandol rosé, but I fail to see why it is singular in the way so many people on this board think it is. I can sort of see the wine how Sarah described it above, but still I have to admit that I’ve never had a bottle that would’ve actually had a bit more stuffing or complexity than most other similarly styled, well-made Bandol rosés, as she put it.
And yes, there are Bandol rosés made in several different styles. However, Tempier is not unique in its own style - there are lots of other similarly made Bandol rosés.
Or then I just need to get a big bunch of Bandol rosés and arrange a blind tasting to see if the wine is really as unique and amazing as so many people here say.
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Many/most people here could blind taste Bitouzet-Prieur Bourgogne Rouge and Rousseau Chambertin and discern that the Rousseau stands out in many ways. Same with Lanessan vs. Sociando-Mallet vs. Haut-Brion. This is about quality, not preference (though they often align). If the Rousseau was basically indistinguishable from the Bourgogne, that would make me question why people think the Chambertin is so special. Many people talk about Tempier’s Rosé as if it is some exceptional example of rosé. In the context of Bandol or even just southern France, I don’t think it is. I like the wine quite a bit, but I don’t think it is in any way worth the price, given what one can get for 2/3 or even 1/2 the cost.
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e.g. ?
Hi Doug. I have enjoyed the Tempiers, but if there are equal or better alternatives at less $, please spill.
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Obviously you’re a great super-duper taster better than the rest of us who like Tempier rose more than most other roses, and can objectively state its quality isn’t better and question our ability to discern any material difference.
The fact that you can’t see why others find one wine better than another is exactly my point. This is all subjective. You just don’t seem to want to admit that.
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For Bandol, Pibarnon, Terrebrune, and Cagueloup are all making nice rosés at lower prices than Tempier. Outside of Bandol, I think Peyrassol Commandeurs is just as good for about half the price (less than half in my market). Same with Miraval.
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Thanks Doug!
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No. I don’t, and don’t know that I ever will.
I spend very little on rose, even though I enjoy it. Why? I thoroughly enjoy the rose I can buy for under $20 per bottle. I just haven’t noticed an appreciable increase in experience with “expensive” rose, although I’ve tasted a few at wineries and in other formats. Could a really expesive rose change my mind? Perhaps, but I’m flat-out not willing to spend the money to find out.
The skeptic in me believes that some wineries (NOT ALL…before I’m flamed) use rose as a way to make a few bucks with their sub-par grapes that would otherwise be tossed or bulked out. I ain’t paying big bucks for that.
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I purchased Sandlands rose this year at $31.16/btl (all in) in a six pack. Would buy again.
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There is no shortage of fine, serious, affordable rose out there. All of those were good in their slightly different ways.
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Few years back I paid $60 for a Realm rose. Wasnt worth it.
I generally have the same feeling about rose, but there are a few outstanding producers that make very “serious” versions that are unique and very high quality (as noted in my earlier post #3). These could stand up to any similarly priced white or red IMO and those are worth the splurge for me. But I agree that doesn’t happen on the lower end, at least based on my experience. So for me, rose is ONLY worth it above $50…
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Looks like that is usually only around $10 cheaper than Tempier.
I’m not assuming Tempier is better or worth $10 more or anything else, just pointing out those are pretty close in price at least on WSPro.
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One thing not mentioned about Tempier, which Jonathan reminds me of, is that it not only can last for some time, but in fact improves with age. You can’t say this of most rose, including many Bandols. Tempier gains depth and complexity with age. I’m not saying that makes it unique, but it is a quality that not all its compatriots can boast. And I’m not saying most people value that in a rose. I’m just trying to address the question of is there anything that makes it special.
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Well it was less then.
Yeah, this is the point I was going to make. Everyone is acting like Tempier is 2x or 3x the comparable wines, when it is not. I like Gros Nore a lot, but it is basically the same price and the style is a bit different. WS best on Tempier is like $5 more than Pibarnon. I also like Pradeaux, and it is > $10 cheaper, but they, like many other Bandol rose producers, seem to be struggling more with the very ripe vintages than Tempier has. Which gets back to Tempier’s consistency. For me, it is right on the money in just about every vintage. If not the best, or if not singular, it is right up there with the best in every vintage, and for just a bit more. In good vintages, I will buy more Pradeaux because it is almost/as good for less, but in the vintages where Pradeaux misses for my tastes, like '23 in which it looked almost like a Tavel, Tempier was still excellent.
Tempier is always at least a very good wine, period, and in some vintages can be outstanding. The 2012 was one of the finest wines I have ever had, of any type. Having said that, my perception is that climate change is making it harder for Tempier to achieve those highs. But I still try the wine every vintage, hoping to repeat that 2012 experience.
There is actually no price difference in France between Tempier and other famed Bandol rosés, they are all typically at or near the 30€ price point.
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