In the glass
Aroma: dark cherry, tar, incense, black olive
Palate: blackberry preserve, graphite, leather, iron
Almost-pure Mourvedre from a wind-sheltered, low-yielding parcel within La Tourtine. The most structured Tempier cuvee: dense, brooding and graphite-driven, with a tannin frame that demands decades.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-roast venison saddle
Cabassaou's iron and graphite grip frames game's deep meat; the wine's incense edge reads as autumnal. -
Aged Bordier butter on grilled steak
The dense Mourvedre tannins find balance in the cultured-butter fat; salt sharpens the dark fruit. -
Truffled risotto
Cabassaou's earthy depth meets truffle's umami; the wine's tannin handles cheese-bound rice. -
Pied bleu mushroom ragout
Forest-floor wine and forest-floor dish; the iron note in the wine echoes the mushroom's mineral edge.
History
Cabassaou was carved out as Tempier's flagship cuvee from a parcel within La Tourtine where Mourvedre vines from the 1940s and 50s sit sheltered from the mistral. The cuvee was launched in 1989 to give the most structured Mourvedre block its own bottling.
- 1989 — First vintage of Cabassaou as the estate's flagship cuvee
- 2009 — Cabassaou established as the estate's prestige cuvee in international markets
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Tempier
- Grapes
- Mourvedre (95%), Syrah
- Classification
- AOC Bandol
- Oak
- 18 to 24 months in large old oak foudres
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 120 to 180 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-35 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1989
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Domaine Tempier Cabassaou
What does Tempier Cabassaou taste like?
Dark cherry, tar, incense and black olive on the nose; blackberry preserve, graphite, leather and iron on the palate. Full-bodied with high tannin, high acidity and a long savoury finish.
When should I drink Tempier Cabassaou?
Drink between 10 and 35 years from vintage. Cabassaou is the most structured Tempier cuvee and genuinely flowers from year 15 onwards. Decant 2 hours for vintages under 20 years old.
Is Tempier Cabassaou vegan?
Yes. Tempier does not use animal-derived fining agents on its red cuvees, though the estate does not pursue formal vegan certification.
What food pairs with Tempier Cabassaou?
Slow-roast venison or game with iron-rich sauces is the canonical pairing. Aged grilled steak with Bordier butter, truffled risotto and pied bleu mushroom ragout are equally strong matches.
How is Cabassaou different from the other Tempier cuvees?
Cabassaou is almost pure Mourvedre (around 95 percent) from a single wind-sheltered block within the La Tourtine vineyard. Older vines, lower yields and longer aging give it the densest tannin structure in the Tempier line.