In the glass
Aroma: dried apricot, candied orange, wild herb, almond shell
Palate: dried strawberry, blood orange, saline, praline
100 percent Tibouren from Cibonne's oldest single-parcel vines, aged 18 months under a velum. A long-velum-aged expression of Provencal Tibouren: dried-fruit, oxidative-driven and deeply savoury.
What it pairs with
-
Aged Comte with quince paste
Cuvee Speciale's dried-fruit and almond palate align with hazelnut-rich aged cheese and quince sweetness. -
Slow-cooked octopus with smoked paprika
Smoky octopus meets the wine's oxidative depth; saline core matches the cephalopod's iodine sweetness. -
Provencal lamb tagine with apricot
The wine's dried-apricot and almond register echo North-African slow-cooked lamb. -
Roast partridge with chestnut
Light gamebird with autumnal nut meets the wine's savoury depth and praline palate.
History
Cuvee Speciale des Vignettes was launched in 2000 as the estate's flagship Tibouren bottling, from a single parcel of the oldest vines. The cuvee is aged 18 months in old foudres under a velum, the longest aging in the Cibonne range.
- 2000 — First Cuvee Speciale des Vignettes Rose released
Facts
- Producer
- Clos Cibonne
- Grapes
- Tibouren (100%)
- Classification
- AOC Cotes de Provence
- Oak
- 18 months aging in old oak foudres under a velum (oxidative)
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 35 to 55 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2000
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Clos Cibonne Cuvee Speciale des Vignettes Rose
What does Cibonne Cuvee Speciale taste like?
Dried apricot, candied orange, wild herb and almond shell on the nose; dried strawberry, blood orange, saline and praline on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long savoury finish.
When should I drink Cibonne Cuvee Speciale?
Drink between 3 and 12 years from vintage. The 18-month foudre aging under velum gives the cuvee genuine long-haul cellaring potential, unusual for rose; bottles often peak between year 4 and 8.
Is Cibonne Cuvee Speciale vegan?
Yes. The estate does not use animal-derived fining agents on the Tibouren cuvees.
What food pairs with Cibonne Cuvee Speciale?
Aged Comte with quince paste is the canonical pairing. Slow-cooked octopus with smoked paprika, Provencal lamb tagine with apricot and roast partridge with chestnut are equally strong matches.
How is Cuvee Speciale different from Tradition?
Cuvee Speciale is 100 percent Tibouren from a single old-vine parcel (Tradition is around 90 percent Tibouren) and is aged 18 months versus Tradition's 12 months. It is the most uncompromising expression of Provencal Tibouren.