In the glass
Aroma: wild blackberry, tar, violet, iron
Palate: damson, cocoa, graphite, leather
Near-pure Mourvedre from the estate's oldest vines at La Cadiere d'Azur. Dense, brooding and graphite-driven; one of Bandol's most uncompromising flagship cuvees.
What it pairs with
-
Wild venison loin
L'Irreductible's iron and tar grip frame game's deep meat; the wine's cocoa edge reads as autumnal. -
Braised wild boar shoulder
Long-cooked game meets the wine's foudre-aged tannin frame; the dish's reduction echoes Mourvedre's depth. -
Aged Mimolette with walnut
The hard caramelised cheese with walnut crunch aligns with the wine's leather and dark-fruit aged tones. -
Black truffle and beef on toast
Truffle umami and beef iron find a peer in the wine's graphite and savoury depth.
History
Guillaume Tari took over Begude in 1996 and launched L'Irreductible in 2002 as the estate's flagship cuvee from the oldest Mourvedre vines on the upper-slope amphitheatre. The cuvee draws from the estate's deepest-rooted Mourvedre block.
- 1996 — Tari family takes over Begude
- 2002 — First vintage of L'Irreductible as estate's flagship
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine de la Begude
- Grapes
- Mourvedre (95%), Grenache
- Classification
- AOC Bandol
- Oak
- 24 to 30 months in large old oak foudres
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 75 to 110 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2002
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Domaine de la Begude L'Irreductible
What does Begude L'Irreductible taste like?
Wild blackberry, tar, violet and iron on the nose; damson, cocoa, graphite and leather on the palate. Full-bodied with high tannins, high acidity and a long savoury finish.
When should I drink Begude L'Irreductible?
Drink between 10 and 30 years from vintage. The near-pure Mourvedre and long foudre aging demand patience; decant 2 hours for vintages under 15 years old.
Is Begude L'Irreductible vegan?
Yes. Begude does not use animal-derived fining agents on the cuvee, and the estate is certified organic.
What food pairs with Begude L'Irreductible?
Wild venison loin is the canonical pairing. Braised wild boar shoulder, aged Mimolette with walnut and black truffle on toast are equally strong matches.
What grapes are in L'Irreductible?
Near-pure Mourvedre at around 95 percent with a small share of Grenache from the estate's oldest amphitheatre vines at La Cadiere d'Azur.