Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninhigh
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 10 to 30 years from vintage.
vintage10 yrs30 yrs32 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedHigh tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

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.

  1. 1996: Tari family takes over Begude
  2. 2002: First vintage of L'Irreductible as estate's flagship

Facts

Producer
Domaine de la Begude · visiting guide
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.

Tags

cellar worthy dry full body grenache high acid high tannin iconic mood bold mood contemplative mood savoury mourvedre occasion celebration occasion cellar occasion special old vines old world organic pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat pairs with truffles price fine single vineyard still red vegan

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