Domaine de la Bégude
Bandol (Provence)

The Estate
 The ageing cellars are the ancient Merovingian chapel of the 7th century from the "Conil" seigneury. This village has since disappeared, but it is mentioned as early as 966 in Saint Victor's maps. The estate already produced some wine in the 16th century and some ancient vinification tanks have been discovered there. Domaine de La Bégude was founded in 1996 by Guillaume and Louis Tari who continue an old family wine tradition (Château Giscours, 3rd Cru, Margaux). They are devoted to elaborating wines that express the characteristics of the Bandol terroir.


Provence AOC map


Guillaume and Soledad Tari - January 2007


Lunch at Domaine de la Bégude, January 2007


Guillaume Pourtalet, Guillaume Tari and Fran Kysela
- Wine Trip, January 2005


Domaine de la Bégude


The cellar

The Vineyard
 The vineyard is situated at the top of the Bandol appellation (400 meters), overlooking the Mediterranean sea. The estate measures 1,240 acres of which 37 acres are in vines (15 hectares).  The vines are cultivated on terraces facing south. The terraces are divided because of the very uneven relief of the wooded massif on which lies the estate. Olive trees surround most of the vine plots and take part in perfecting a typical landscape of the Bandol area.
The grape percentages are: 65% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache,10% Cinsault. and the vines average 20 years of age. Grapes are hand harvested and totally de-stemmed before 3 – 4 weeks of fermentation on the skins.  Egg white fining finishes the winemaking process before bottling.  Production in total is 2,500 – 3,000 cases annually.  This property makes clean and focused Bandol as opposed to the rustic style so commonly seen from this A.O.C.
 The Tari family also produces a Cotes de Provence (Rose and Red) made from grapes grown in the heart of the Provencal oak forest, dominating the Maures Mountains. 


"La Brûlade" parcel


The vineyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea

The Wines


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UPC code: 7 84585 00330 3
2009 Domaine de la Bégude, Bandol, Rosé 6/750ml
55% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, 35% Cinsault
The grapes are sorted in the vineyard and in the vinification building. The grapes are totally destemmed and the maceration lasts from a few hours to one night. The grapes are then pressed before fermentation. The temperatures are controlled to obtain a complete transformation of the sugar during 15 days.
Part of the blend comes from "vin de saignee" (from red wine). Juices are vinified separately.
This rose has a special potential for aging thanks to the mourvedre. It is probably more and more frequent to taste some roses with10 years of age, but the reasonable time for drinking this rosé is between 2 and 4 years. They are what sommeliers call “rosés de gastronomie”.
It traditionally pairs well with fish, seafood, white meat.  It is also excellent with cheese and “international cuisine”, spicy Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese cuisine..



#F0EE378023MVS
UPC code: 7 84585 00330 3
2008 Domaine de la Bégude, Bandol, Rosé 6/750ml
65% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 10% Cinsault
Destemming, maceration (a few hours, one night maximum), press.
Part of the blend comes from "vin de saignee" (from red wine). Juices are vinified separately. Temperature controlled fermentation, malolactic fermentation.

#F0EE378001MVS
UPC code: 7 84585 00330 3
2007 Domaine de la Bégude, Bandol, Rosé 6/750ml
 "Light pink. Raspberry, cherry pit and floral aromas are complicated by anise and green tea. Medium-weight red berry flavors are rich and palate-coating but surprisingly energetic. Finishes broad, with a late note of musky herbs."
- International Wine Cellar (June 2008), 88 pts

National Retail Price: $32.99 / bottle































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UPC code: 7 84585 00331 0
2006 Domaine de la Bégude, Bandol, Rouge 6/750ml
 Made from 85% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache.
Manual harvest.
The grapes are sorted in the vineyard and in the vinification building. The grapes are totally destemmed.
8-10 days of alcoholic fermentation, maceration for 35 days, malolactic fermentation, oak aging for 18 months in French barrels (Allier) - 1/3 new.
 Every year, they change one quarter of their oak casks. A racking is done every three months, except for the vintage that make their second fermentation in barrels (2001/2004).
Pairs well with red meat, beef rib, duck fillet, roasted lamb, wild boar, deer, cheese.

#F0EE378021MVS
UPC code: 7 84585 00331 0
2005 Domaine de la Bégude, Bandol, Rouge 6/750ml
 Made from 85% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache.
Manual harvest.
8-10 days of alcoholic fermentation, maceration for 45 days, malolactic fermentation, oak aging for 18 months in French barrels (Allier) - 1/3 new.

#F0EE378018MVL
UPC code: 7 84585 00331 0
2003 Domaine de la Bégude, Bandol, Rouge 6/750ml
 Made from 85% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache.
Manual harvest.
8-10 days of alcoholic fermentation, maceration for 45 days, malolactic fermentation, oak aging for 18 months in French barrels (Allier) - 1/3 new.

"Their 2003 Domaine de la Bégude rouge, a blend of 85% Mourvèdre and 15% Grenache, is a seriously good wine. Deep in color, it has an earthy, spicy character softened by the sweet, ripe flavors of black currants and cherries. Just the thing to accompany the Easter leg or rack of lamb. Daubes are the classic match — think beef with olives — but also Moroccan tagines." 

- Los Angeles Times, "Wine of the Week", April 5, 2006

 National Retail Price: $38.99 / bottle



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UPC code: 7 84585 00759 2
2004 Domaine de la Bégude, Bandol, Rouge, La Brulade 6/750ml
 This carefully selected blend is made of 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache, aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. Annual production averages 500 cases.
"La Brulade" is the name of a slope in the area located at an altitude of 400 meters, between La Baie d'Amour (the town of La Ciotat) in the South and La Sainte Baume in the North.
"La Brulade" is not produced every year, only in exceptional vintages 
National Retail Price: $72.99 / bottle



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#F0EE378019MVS
UPC code: 7 84585 00896 4
2006 Domaines Tari, Le "C", Côtes de Provence Rosé 12/750ml
This wine is produced in the heart of the Provencal oak forest, dominating the Maures Mountains. The "C" is a blend of Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan that combines the qualities of the Provencal terroir and the rigorous signature of the three Tari brothers Guillaume, Benoit and Louis.
This wine is excellent with Mediterranean cuisine.

National Retail Price: $15.99 / bottle


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#F0EE378020MVL
UPC code: 7 84585 00795 0
2005 Domaines Tari, Le "C", Côtes de Provence Rouge 12/750ml
This wine is produced in the heart of the Provencal oak forest, dominating the Maures Mountains. The "C" is a blend of Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan that combines the qualities of the Provencal terroir and the rigorous signature of the three Tari brothers Guillaume, Benoit and Louis.
This wine is excellent with Mediterranean cuisine.

National Retail Price: $15.99 / bottle