485. Domaine Tempier, Bandol, 2003

c. £19; 14%

We threw a curry at this, and it more-or-less survived. For me though, the two characteristics that were most interesting were the surprisingly only mid-depth colour (given the roastingly-hot 2003 French summer), and above all the ‘velvet glove & iron fist’ nature of the tannins – superbly smooth and relatively silky, yet subtly powerful. A very high quality Bandol (again!) and a good wine (albeit less aromatic than I had anticipated).