Clos de l'Ours - Côtes de Provence L'Agachon rouge 2021

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The 13-hectare vineyard, certified organic since 2000, is situated on well-drained clay-limestone soil, surrounded by a ring of pine and oak trees. Its proximity to Cotignac gives this terroir a cooler climate with greater daily temperature variations than on the coast. Composed primarily of vines ranging from 40 to 70 years old—a rarity in this region largely dominated by rosé production—the vineyard features the classic grape varieties of Provence.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Cinsault and Carignan, grown together on a single 60-year-old vineyard plot, are vinified together to create the Agachon cuvée. After three weeks of maceration with native yeasts, it offers a light structure with lively tannins—typical of the vintage—as well as lovely, bright fruit.

About the estate:

Fabienne and Michel Brotons left their life in Marseille and invested all their savings to become winemakers at this charming estate in Cotignac, in the Haut-Var region. It was such an exciting venture that their children—who had originally planned to pursue careers in business—joined them in this adventure. Fabien now focuses on the vineyard and winemaking, while Émilie handles sales. Their arrival has been a boon to the Côtes de Provence, as the family is committed to expressing the authenticity of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Rolle, Clairette, and Ugni, moving away from the modern winemaking trends that have shaped the region’s reputation. Their deep understanding of their vineyards—achieved in part through the transition to organic and then biodynamic farming—has led the Brotons to produce increasingly authentic wines that they will continue to refine in the years to come.