When the weather is in the 80s, an aquatic happy hour is in order!
We’re excited to try this rosé, made primarily from the Tibouren grape, coming from the Côtes de Provence AOC of France.
Clos Cibonne has been in the loving hands of the Roux family since 1793. Due to the hard work and dedication of this family, the vineyard from which this wine comes was among the 18 designated “Cru Classés” in the Côtes de Provence 1950 classification, an indication of its quality. You may attribute Tibouren’s inclusion in the list of legally-permissible varieties in the Côtes de Provence AOC to the Roux family, as well.
This rosé is 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache. It was made by direct press, giving it a paler hue, fermented in stainless steel, and aged biologically for 12 months in large, 100-year-old oak foudres under a thin layer of yeast (known as a “fleurette”), a process similar to that used to create Fino Sherry in Spain (where the “fleurette” is called the “flor”).
The result is a crisp, elegant expression with delicate lemon, gooseberry, white peach, chamomile, blanched almond, and clay notes. It also has a savory element that I’m having a hard time putting my finger on, perhaps it’s soft white cheese, along with great structure and texture.
Clos Cibonne, Tibouren, Cru Classé, Côtes de Provence, Vintage 2018, ABV 13.5%. — 3 years ago
Paul T- Huntington Beach
So this happened,,,, I need to rethink & re score every Rose’ I’ve had. This is Beyond anything I’ve opened. I only started drinking Rose’ as a compromise with wifey who didn’t care for Chardonnay. But I’m not sharing these bottles, I have her porch pounders separated. No pounding these
Winery notes as follows,
Clos Cibonne is one of the most historic and prestigious estates in Provence. They are one of the few estates to cultivate and focus on Tibouren, an heirloom variety with very few hectares planted. They also age their wines under fleurette, a thin veil of yeast similar to that found in Jerez and Jura, for a year in large oak casks. The Cuvée Marius takes these practices and raises it to the next level. Named for Marius Roux, the wine is an homage to him and the original Château name. Marius would load his wine in barrel onto his cart and travel to the village every week on market days to sell his special wine. Made of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache, the wine is aged in smaller casks for a couple of years. It is almost a rosé in name only with its onion skin color, full body and layered intensity. This is what the French call a gastronomic wine, easy to pair with complex meals. Suitable for drinking now, this wine also has many more years ahead of it. — 2 years ago