Brad Jensen

9.3

Holy green apple candies, sour raspberry gummies, blackberries, a little charcoal, fresh tire rubber and a little rhubarb for a nose! — 4 days ago

Roberto Carli

9.4

Might be declassified, but it drinks like a tight single vineyard. Very concentrated, fleshy red fruit, not quite raspberry, maybe rhubarb. Any oak influence is not noticeable, if anything contributes to the woodsy quality that keeps the tightly a fruit serious rather than frivolous. The pallet is driven by broad acidity, with tannins spreading to the cheeks that keep things lingering and give way to the spicy finish — 2 years ago

Michael Greene

9.3

Cranberry, rhubarb, forest floor. Aging well — 4 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Maybe even more fun than last vintage…dark, rich Ruby color.. intense aroma of dark, tart Michigan cherry, sour rhubarb, watermelon, and juicy strawberries… beautiful balance of lively acidity and pure fruit fun. Sweet summer quaffer…near Rose perfection, but not for the timid…serious power! — 5 years ago

Tobin Spratte

9.4

Notes of hibiscus, strawberry, rhubarb, and pomegranate. Slight mineral background. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

If you want to impress a Somm with a bottle of wine, bring a Grand Cru Gamay. I hate using the term Beaujolais. It gives a lot of people the lesser impression of Beaujolais Nouveau which, equates to the impression left by Blue Nun in the 70’s/early 80’s and Yellow Tail in and around 2000.

This is one of my favorite producers of Gamay, a member of the “Gang of Four”; Lapierre, Thevenet, Foillard & Breton. There is a fifth honoree member to the “Gang of Four”, Yvon Metras, who I enjoy equally. If you want to finally appreciate this varietal, look for one of these producers from Morgan or Fleurie.

The nose reveals; dark cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, blueberry hues, spearmint, granitic minerals/soil, dark berry cola, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, a whiff of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets.

The body is full, rich and guides over the palate. It shows some tannins. The structure & tension are still big. The length and balance are at the beginnings of truly rounding into butterfly form. Still will benefit from 5 plus years in bottle. Bright red florals are far more pronounced on the palate. Ripe/bright; dark tart cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, half baked rhubarb with lovely blueberry hues, blood orange & dry raisins. Spearmint, tree sap, granitic minerals/soil pressed in to the palate, dark berry cola, orange peel, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, hints of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets. The acidity is like a warm summer rain shower. The long, rich, ripe, well balanced, elegant finish is nicely persistent for minutes.

12% ABV 👍

Photos of; Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Marcel Lapierre (may he RIP-2010), Marcel’s son and current Winemaker-Matheiu Lapierre and their Morgan Vineyard.
— 8 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.3

Learned helplessness. Man 12%. And 20$ or so. I just can’t help it - this is the best Rosé ever. Unfiltered. This was really shaken not stirred when I traveled about town before it was popped. Tart, rhubarb gal-lore!!! Lemon. Typically I hate Rosé’s which often taste like nothing / this ain’t it. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

My first 2016 BP Estate. Powerful red fruits with a whole bunch stalky element. A typical BP Estate with that stewed fruit rhubarb type character Similar to many other BP Estate Pinots I’ve had on Delectable from other vintages. — 4 years ago

Collier S. Wiese

9.2

Quintessential to the history of South Dakota was homemade rhubarb wine! This is a great representation of what tartness can do to balance the sweetness inherent in some of the non-grape wines. Like the tart cherry wines of Michigan, this is iconic of South Dakota. Love it! — 4 years ago

John Willison

9.2

Raspberry, cranberry, rhubarb, eucalyptus, minerals. — 5 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.3

Such an awesome wine. Loads of yeast, strawberries, spices, and rhubarb. — 7 years ago

with Krystal

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.3

Breakfast maple waffles nose. Astringency and dark red cherries. Well developed, buxom, full-fruit bite. Earthy rhubarb and plum. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

From magnum and paired well with three different Tri-tip steaks sources and marinades.

On the nose, sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets.

The palate is med and beautiful. The length, structure, tension and balance are at its peak harmony from magnum. Sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, pomegranate, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb, burnt orange, with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry river stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, dry stems, more presence, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets and blue flowers. The acidity is waterfall perfect. The rich, ripe, fresh fruit, well balanced finish is simply beauty on steroids.

Photos of, Lopez de Heredia, Vat fermenters that are still in use and somewhere between 100-200 years of age (they repair them as needed to keep them tight), their cooperage and Maria José López de Heredia who now runs the family business. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A stop for Sofia & I in 2015.

Tempranillo with this age is so soft, elegant and even a tad sweet for such a rustic varietal. This bottle has been well stored acquired from a distributor. Very little soft, mushy sediment and no bottle neck burn. Perfect fill line.

It glides onto the palate. Ripe; sweet to tart/sour cherries, rhubarb, brambly blackberries/black raspberries, baked plums & strawberries with some me hovering raspberries/blueberries. Dry-tobacco-stems-leather-top soil-crushed rocks-understated herbs-sage/bay leaf, haunting spices, incense, balsamic, sweet, mid tarriness, dry tomatoes w/ leaf, dry; dark red flowers-roses, rainfall acidity, well balanced, soft structure/tension and elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on dry earthiness & flowers.

This picked up weight as it decanted & with the Bavette Steak w/ Chimichurri Sauce. — 8 months ago

Alan Hense

9.2

Crisp rosé with notes of sour cherry, forest floor, rhubarb and raspberry. Lovely. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

I brought this, my last one of these. Opened and decanted 5 hours before serving. Bright tawny and almost opaque. Awesome nose. Seems young. Notes of bing cherry, asian spice, sandalwood, some dark earth and some rhubarb. Rich and silky in the mouth. Velvet glove delivery. Awesome wine. My red WOTN. — 5 years ago

Manchester Sheldon

9.2

Vibrant with rhubarb on the front, followed by blueberry, with a finish of strawberry and rose petals. — 5 years ago

William Hughes

9.3

This wine is hitting a peak. A confectionary note over cool rhubarb, dried flowers, and red currants. Lenny of acidity and a dusting of tannins commingle with more fresh red fruit and a dash of sweet spice in my mouth. Just delicious! — 7 years ago

Matt Perlman

8.9

Beautiful light cloudy rhubarb/garnet color. Medicinal sour cherry and vibrant tangy strawberry. Lacks the complexity and funky/savory elements of the top Jura examples but compensates with purity of the fruit — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s officially Summer! Time for Rosé. Tempier is one of my favorite Rosés. They’re even better when you let them round out a year in bottle before enjoying. The color darkens to a slightly rustic orange color.

On the nose, some sour notes with a little funk. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, unbelievably just a touch of petrol, gummy character, chalkiness and fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses.

The body is round and full for Rosé. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, oranges, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, well ripened rhubarb, just a touch of petrol, gummy character, spice, chalkiness, perfect intensity of crushed volcanic minerals with fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses. The acidity is like a waterfall. The length, structure, tension and balance are excellent. The long, rich, elegant finish is beautiful and lasts minutes. It’s delicious!!!

Photos from our 2016 visit. Domaine Tempier tasting room and cellars, shot of our barrel tasting w/ their assistant Winemaker (a sweetheart), the digging for their additional cellar; which I imagine is now complete and the view from the Domaine entrance — 8 years ago