Côtes de Provence Tibouren Clos Cibonne Rosé 2018, France

Decanter 95 pts.  Planted on the hills of the Maures mountains, the average age of these well-ventilated Tibouren vines is about 20 years, on free-draining, salty clay soils located close to the sea. These factors, along with sustainable viticultural practices, enable good vine health and a fresh style. Made predominantly from the much-prized Tibouren variety, this flagship wine also contains 10% Grenache, and after fermentation and blending, it spends 12-18 months in 100-year-old casks before being bottled. Elizabeth Gabay MW: Orange. Intense fruit – dried peach, apricot and orange – some nutty oak, red berries, creamy, long, fresh mineral acidity, and a phenolic finish. More gastronomic style. Joanna Simon: Deep, yellowy hue. Spicy, oaky, dried-flower and apricot aromas with a little mineral-kerosene development. Lovely, mineral, richly textured palate but tight too with dried apricot, mineral and crystallised orange peel flavours. Long, complex, mellifluous, fresh. Rod Smith: Mid-pa