Domaine de la Bégude was purchased in 1996 by seventh-generation winemaker Guillaume Tari, who was raised at third-growth Château Giscours in Margaux (which his grandfather acquired in 1954). Once a stopover for travellers seeking shelter and sustenance – ‘beguda’ means ‘drink’ or ‘the place to drink’ in Provençal – this Bandol estate was abandoned and overgrown when Guillaume rediscovered it. He and his wife have since replanted Domaine de la Bégude’s old terraces and restored its buildings to their former glory. Today, the domaine encompasses 500 hectares of vines, of which thirty have been replanted, predominantly with Mourvèdre. Guillaume’s fascination with Mourvèdre’s ageing potential partly inspired his creation of the world’s largest collection of Mourvèdre clones, now totalling 116. Guillaume has recently sold the estate to the Rouleau family, owners of fifth-growth Chateau Dauzac in Margaux, who share Guillaume’s vision for the domaine and its wines.

Grape: Grenache

Region: Bandol

Country: France

ABV: 13%

Vintage: 2021