Vanessa

9.2

🐟 What would you pair with grilled swordfish?

🍇 Tonight we’re opting for a rosé based almost entirely on the Tibouren grape. When it comes to Tibouren, Clos Cibonne is always an exceptional choice. 👌

Clos Cibonne is an iconic producer in Provence, France 🇫🇷 considered a guardian (and certainly a champion) of the ancient Tibouren grape, a rare variety with roots linking back to Mesopotamia.

🌿 Tibouren has a wild, rustic structure and is often used in the production of pale, perfumed, herbal, and unmistakably coastal rosés.

🍾 This particular bottling is the “Cuvée Spéciale des Vignettes” made with fruit coming from some of the oldest Tibouren parcels on the Clos Cibonne estate (60+ years in age), lending depth and complexity and a runway for serious longevity.

🥂 Clos Cibonne also holds a coveted title as a “Cru Classé” wine based on the 1950s classification within the Côtes de Provence AOC. Its wines are among the most admired in the region.

🪵 Something that sets this rosé apart is that it’s aged under a fleurette — a thin veil of yeast (similar to the flor in Sherry) — in large, neutral oak foudres, creating a savory, textural, almost oxidative nuance that’s distinctively delicious.

🍽️ It’s a beautiful pairing with our grilled swordfish over thinly sliced heirloom tomatoes , cucumbers 🥒 , arugula and feta topped with a caper-olive relish.

🍓 The delicate red fruit, savory, dried herb (garrigue) and saline elements of the wine complement the flavors of the meal in wonderful harmony.

Cheers to the practice of food & wine pairing — may it be a lifelong endeavor!! — 4 days ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Pingus, named after childhood nickname, deep Ruby with concentrated dark fruit aromas and gently smoky notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and plum, licorice, sweet vanilla spice, well balanced, fine grainy tannins, long finish ending with slight oaky tones. Very Nice! — 8 months ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.4

Nica Libre!

94 points — 4 years ago

Roman Ochocki

9.1

A dark chocolate, coffee and sweet dark fruit. Very good. — 5 years ago

Nancy Schnur

9.1

Not sure where it was purchased or the price — 6 years ago

Eric Kememes

9.1

Tasting at SR — 6 years ago

KA

9.2

Monsieur Dior Beverly Hills — 4 months ago

Day Watson

9.1

Slightly chill before drinking. Floral, blackberry and spice. Some tannin. Medium bodied. Acid. Good summer red option or lunch/brunch. Paired well with aged cheeses, blackberries. Winner of tonight’s tasting. — 6 months ago

Enrique

9.2

Intenso, profundo, fruta negra — 7 months ago

Chris Zitzman

10

Wine of the year. I spent a chunk of change on this puppy made by Matt Dees out of Ballard Canyon in the Santa Ynez Valley out of faith. Well, faith and trust because I’m a huge fan of Mr. Dees so… I had cause. The 2018 vintage (a great one all around) was ripe for the picking for this astounding blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, & 11% Perit Verdot. Even off the pop it was inviting, even as powerful as it be. After a quick decant, rich and silky aromas waft from the glass that lead to one of the most elegant palates I’ve come across this side of Paillaic. I’ve had some top-notch California Cults in my time- but this is something different. The nose itself is silken, with gentle notes of classic nuance and silken power that hints at what’s to come. And as this incredible blend finds its way onto the palate it simply overwhelms the senses in such a simple, beautiful way…it just hits all the buttons in a graceful and luxurious way that will only grow and bloom as you realize what you’ve been lucky enough to try.. while you may keep in mind that I’ve yet to try each and every North American wine, I’ve had examples of the Opus One, Quilceda. Creek, Hundred Acre, various Shraeders , the Modus Operandi “Antithesis” (which is entirely overlooked in its own right)- this is the one that makes me want to throw it against the very best of the “First Growths”. it’s just phenomenal. Get it while you can. — 9 months ago

Vanessa

8.9

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%. — 5 years ago

with Deked1

James Haskins

9.3

Lovely smooth taste! One of the best Pinot Noirs I have enjoyed ! — 6 years ago

KA

9.4

Lonesome Dove — 5 months ago

Brad Jensen

9.4

Nose of lavender, dark chocolate, silky dark red fruits, vanilla notes, uncrushed black pepper, pine bark, plum and driveway tar. Silky palate, medium to full bodied, that starts with ripe red fruits and evolves into slightly smoky flavors, with dark red berries, pencil shavings, more baked pie crust than pure vanilla, tobacco and tannins that grip lightly, but dance in the background of a dry, slightly hay like finish that lays meaty on the palate for quite a while. — 7 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.2

Great blend with literally the kitchen sink of varietals (10!). Haven’t had their more pricy cuvées but if this is any indication, they knock it out of the park! Side note, gorgeous tasting room. @Ryan Colthorp came visit for a wine trip! — 8 months ago

with Natasha

AnneMarie Girard

9.1

Mission Wines — 4 years ago

Joseph Gannon

9.5

fantastic rose — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Bob McDonald

9.5

Consistent notes from February 2019. Molasses Caramel etc and ultra smooth. A top quality rum from Nicaragua. Great minerality from all the old lava flows in that country where the sugar cane grows. 18 years old. — 6 years ago

Patrick Hurley

9.3

Delicious. — 6 years ago

John Bjorklund

9.0

Lovely and smooth garnacha with some fruit, slight acid and pepper. Perfect with a steak and Frank Sinatra. Enjoy! — 7 years ago