2020 Clos Cibonne 'Tibouren Rouge', Provence, France

Domaine Clos Cibonne is an iconic estate situated between Toulon and Hyeres in the commune of Pradet in Provence. It is perched on the rolling hills of Colle Noire, which rise above the red rock cliffs falling into the Mediterranean sea. It is also one of the 18 Cru Classé growers in the Côtes de Provence AOP. 15 hectares of vineyards manage organically, hand-harvested, wrapped in timeless labels which are unchanged for nearly a century. The domaine bears the namesake of former owner, Jean-Baptiste de Cibon.  It was sold after his death in 1797 to ancestors of the Roux family whose successive generations have lived and worked on this property ever since. It is now Brigitte and her husband Claude who looked after the domaine and make some of the most unforgettable wines of the region you will ever taste Why do we like it? A wine made predominantly from the much-prized Tibouren variety of 20 years old vines, on free-draining, salty clay located close to the sea, along with 10% of Grenache for good measure. The sustainable viticultural practices, enable good vine health and a fresh style. After fermentation and blending, it spends 12-18 months in 100-year-old casks before being bottled. It's a wonderful wine showing an intense ripe strawberry, cherry, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon and dried rose notes. Along with a superb texture and fine-grained tannins, it's a wine of great intensity and length. Grape            90% Tibouren 10% Grenache Country        France                                  Region          Provence                          Vintage         2020