Domaine de La Tour du Bon
Bandol
Provence, France
Recommended by Revue de Vins de France
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One of the finest Estates in Provence, this Bandol Domaine is highly regarded for producing wines which are both classic and modern at the same time. The red wines are supple and accessible when young and given the Mourvedre component, also age very well. Moreover, they are great value.
Tour du Bon enjoys a beautiful setting a few kilometres back from the Mediterranean sea at 150 metres altitude in a single holding, with stunning views around 360º to the sea and the hills behind. The palm tree dominates the pretty house. 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.
The current owner is Agnes Henry, whose parents bought the estate in 1968, and who is as relaxed, warm and charming as the environment and as natural as her wines. She is careful to emphasise this balance with nature, which her work entails. Agnes took over in 1990, at first employing now well-known Loire producer Thierry Puzelat and then Antoine Pouponneau. She now manages the estate on her own.
The estate comprises 12 hectares, which is 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 a very special wine.
