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!

As ever, Clos Cibonne honours the Tibouren grape variety with this cuvée produced from 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache. Fermentation is temperature-regulated and the wine is matured in barrels for between 4–6 months. An attractive ruby hue delivers a generous fruit-forward nose with a hint of mild spice. In the mouth it stands out for its remarkable silken texture and elegance, pairing perfectly alongside the earthy depth of roast veal and pan-fried mushrooms. Serve slightly cool to enjoy at its best.