Bandol, terroir of the mourvèdre grape

The vineyard of Bandol lies in an amphitheater facing the Mediterranean Sea, in Provence, in the hinterland of Toulon. The sea in the background, brings with its maritime entrances and its regular wind the freshness essential to the development of digestible and well-balanced wines. In Bandol, the wines come in 3 colors: white, rosé and red.

Among the grape varieties grown in Bandol, the mourvèdre grape dominates the red wines and the rosé wines. Its tannic richness contributes to the great aging potential of red wines. Mourvèdre gives them an original and complex typicity, often marked by spices, liquorice, and especially this unique minty final note.

Mourvèdre, a grape variety originally from Spain, has found its chosen terroir in Bandol!

There is no need to introduce the famous Château de Pibarnon or the Tempier estate, which can be found on the best tables around the world. Instead, I wanted to highlight a lesser-known area, a recent crush at Bandol: the Tour du Bon estate.

The estate has been run by the Hocquard family since 1968. It is located at the foot of the village of Le Castelet, on 17 hectares of limestone and sandy soils, laying on different landscape exposures.

The name of the estate pays homage to a watchtower once erected on the top of the site, used for observation and protection of the village.

A glass of Mourvèdre from the Tour du Bon is an invitation to travel to Provence, in an environment of hilly landscapes overlooking the Mediterranean that can be seen in the distance.

In young vintages - less than 5 years old - the estate's first "classic" Bandol cuvée is already wonderfully concentrated and fresh. You can enjoy it on grilled red meat, such as a rib of beef, but also on grilled tuna sprinkled with regional spices!

I recommend a one-hour decanting before service. Serve it at 16°C. Enjoy your tasting!

La Tour du Bon Estate, Bandol 2018

To discover this beautiful wine, go to the "Vente Privé" menu, there might still be a few bottles left. ! Click here.