Tour Du Bon Bandol Rouge 2011 ANDREW GUARD WINE IMPORTS

Mourvèdre is king in Bandol and Agnès Henry is queen in her village high up in the hills. Here at one of the finest Estates in Provence, Mourvèdre expresses all of its dark and meaty potential. Tour du Bon means Tower of Good; the Domaine was named after a watchtower which is said to have been sited here to protect the local village. Certainly, a sense of harmony and peace pervade the air.

Bandol has eight separate villages, each with its own differing geology and microclimate. Up in the commune of Le Brulat is Domaine de la Tour du Bon, run now completely by Agnès, whose father originally bought the domaine in 1968. The estate comprises 12 hectares, which are worked organically and quasi-biodynamically and is planted to around 50% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache and the rest Cinsault, Carignan, Rolle and Clairette. The soils are ancient and predominantly clay limestone, with part red clay sandstone and part white limestone and sand. The climate is gentle with usually 300 days of dazzling, luminous sunshine, gentle sea breezes and low rainfall. Thus, strong Mourvedre, gentle climate and deeply supporting soils combine to create very special wines. As with all vineyards in Bandol there is a prevailing maritime influence and you can see the sea from the vines.

Agnès’ red wines are simply brilliant – deeply black fruited and broad shouldered, yet tenderly laced with spice and pepper. All the wines are incredibly age worthy but, because of the density of flavour, are very drinkable as young wines. – Importer Note