Domaine Clos Cibonne is ideally situated between Toulon and Hyères in the commune of Pradet, near the cape of Carqueiranne and perched on the rolling hills of Colle Noire, which rise above the red rock cliffs falling into the turquoise Mediterranean. The domaine bears the namesake of former owner, Jean-Baptiste de Cibon. The estate 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. In the 1930s the estate was converted exclusively to winegrowing, under the command of André Roux who foresaw the immense success of Provencal rosé. Roux was a pioneering winegrower, choosing to cultivate the original and little-known variety of Tibouren. He removed five hectares of old vines, jealously preserving a few old specimens of this varietal whose grafts have enabled the gradual replanting of the whole vineyard, though he added some Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah to qualify for the Côtes de Provence appellation. Although we may find some Tibouren in other Provencal wines today, Clos Cibonne remains the principal ambassador of this varietal in France and, no doubt, the world!

The Vignettes cuvée is produced from some of the oldest vines on the domaine. These 50 year-old specimens are harvested by hand and their fruit is sorted prior to temperature-regulated fermentation; the wine is then matured in hundred-year-old tuns. One is struck by the magnificent colour of this cuvée, but this is nothing compared to its intensely complex nose exuding irresistible notes of quince, grilled walnuts and spice. In the mouth it combines good grip and freshness with an incredible long finish. This is an exquisitely crafted food wine from the unique Clos Cibonne.