Clos Cibonne
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Côtes de Provence, France
Winemaker: Olivier Deforge
Winemaker: Olivier Deforge
Clos Cibonne is one of 18 Cru Classé growers in the Côtes de Provence AOP, and is in fact the most southerly. The estate’s 15 hectares of vineyards are located a mere 800 metres from the coast and are surrounded by hillsides in the base of a bowl that faces the sea. This topography creates air circulation extends the growing period whilst cooling the vines. The soil is a mixture of schist & clay. After harvest, the wines are fermented in stainless steel & some are then aged under fleurette (a thin veil of yeast) in 100-year-old, 500L foudres.
The estate is managed organically, although is not certified. Grapes are all harvested by hand and the resultant wines are some of the most transparent in Southern France - the spices, herbs and salt that you can literally taste on the breeze, fill these wines.
Whilst as with most estates in Provence, rosé is the focus, we are thrilled to also import one of Clos Cibonne's red wines, made exclusively from a local grape Tibouren. Lighter framed than many other Provence reds, this is fresh and vibrant, with a distinctly Mediterranean twang.
The estate is managed organically, although is not certified. Grapes are all harvested by hand and the resultant wines are some of the most transparent in Southern France - the spices, herbs and salt that you can literally taste on the breeze, fill these wines.
Whilst as with most estates in Provence, rosé is the focus, we are thrilled to also import one of Clos Cibonne's red wines, made exclusively from a local grape Tibouren. Lighter framed than many other Provence reds, this is fresh and vibrant, with a distinctly Mediterranean twang.
TENTATIONS
The Tentations range is a negotiate wine from the estate, meaning that the fruit is purchased from their neighbours. All the vinification is done at the Cibonne winery and through the growing season Olivier (now 5th generation winemaker) works closely with these growers to ensure the fruit is to their standards.
2019 Cuvée Tentations Blanc 750ml
Made from 100% Rolle (Vermentino). Super bright and attractive aromas. Lifted honeyed pear with a honeysuckle floral character. This is an unwooded white wine that delivers freshness and drinkability. More stone fruit coming forward on the palate, peach and a slight dried apricot. Energetic finish.
2019 Cuvée Tentations Rosé 750ml
Made from 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Tibouren. Bright red fruits lift from the glass, but, as with all these wines there are wonderful layers of spice and non fruit complexity beneath. The palate has wonderful texture that sets it apart from other wines in the region. Huge drinkability too. Bring on summer!
2017 Cuvée Tentations Rouge 750ml
Made from 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 20% Tibouren. Great concentration of fruits on the nose. Blackberry, dark cherry and blue plum. The palate is medium bodied and super approachable. Soft fine silky tannins make this very user-friendly, but not without substance and length.
The Tentations range is a negotiate wine from the estate, meaning that the fruit is purchased from their neighbours. All the vinification is done at the Cibonne winery and through the growing season Olivier (now 5th generation winemaker) works closely with these growers to ensure the fruit is to their standards.
2019 Cuvée Tentations Blanc 750ml
Made from 100% Rolle (Vermentino). Super bright and attractive aromas. Lifted honeyed pear with a honeysuckle floral character. This is an unwooded white wine that delivers freshness and drinkability. More stone fruit coming forward on the palate, peach and a slight dried apricot. Energetic finish.
2019 Cuvée Tentations Rosé 750ml
Made from 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Tibouren. Bright red fruits lift from the glass, but, as with all these wines there are wonderful layers of spice and non fruit complexity beneath. The palate has wonderful texture that sets it apart from other wines in the region. Huge drinkability too. Bring on summer!
2017 Cuvée Tentations Rouge 750ml
Made from 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 20% Tibouren. Great concentration of fruits on the nose. Blackberry, dark cherry and blue plum. The palate is medium bodied and super approachable. Soft fine silky tannins make this very user-friendly, but not without substance and length.
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2019 Cuvée Tradition Rosé 750ml
This wine is made from the most historic part of the Clos Cibonne property. 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache - this is how rosé was made in the region 100 years ago, before modernisation occurred. After fermentation the wine is aged on the lees under fleurette for 1 year in 100-year-old foudres (5000 litres).
2019 Cuvée Prestige Caroline Rosé 750ml
The fruit for this wine comes from the same vineyards as the 'Vignettes' - the oldest vines on the property, 60 years +. First fermented in stainless before being transferred into 300L barrels, a third being new oak. 80% Tibouren, 10% Grenache and 10% Syrah.
2017 Marius Rosé 750ml
Cuvée Marius comes from the oldest vineyards in Cibonne, on average over 60 years old. Only about 800 meters from the sea, the vines overlook the port of Toulon. The loamy slate soil gives the grapes breed and power. Everything is processed organically. The harvest takes place only in the cool morning hours. After direct pressing, it is transported to new 2600 liter barrels with temperature control for slow fermentation. The wine stays here for 24 months with a long yeast storage. This is followed by a few months in stainless steel for homogenization. At Cibonne, no rosés are vinified for quick consumption, but storable, characterful wines.
2020 Cuvée Tradition Tibouren 750ml
Coming from bush vines with an average age of 20 years. Fermented on skins in stainless steel tanks, 10 days on skins with pump overs twice a day. Once dry the wine spends 6 months in cask before being bottled. 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache.
This wine is made from the most historic part of the Clos Cibonne property. 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache - this is how rosé was made in the region 100 years ago, before modernisation occurred. After fermentation the wine is aged on the lees under fleurette for 1 year in 100-year-old foudres (5000 litres).
2019 Cuvée Prestige Caroline Rosé 750ml
The fruit for this wine comes from the same vineyards as the 'Vignettes' - the oldest vines on the property, 60 years +. First fermented in stainless before being transferred into 300L barrels, a third being new oak. 80% Tibouren, 10% Grenache and 10% Syrah.
2017 Marius Rosé 750ml
Cuvée Marius comes from the oldest vineyards in Cibonne, on average over 60 years old. Only about 800 meters from the sea, the vines overlook the port of Toulon. The loamy slate soil gives the grapes breed and power. Everything is processed organically. The harvest takes place only in the cool morning hours. After direct pressing, it is transported to new 2600 liter barrels with temperature control for slow fermentation. The wine stays here for 24 months with a long yeast storage. This is followed by a few months in stainless steel for homogenization. At Cibonne, no rosés are vinified for quick consumption, but storable, characterful wines.
2020 Cuvée Tradition Tibouren 750ml
Coming from bush vines with an average age of 20 years. Fermented on skins in stainless steel tanks, 10 days on skins with pump overs twice a day. Once dry the wine spends 6 months in cask before being bottled. 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache.
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