CLOS VAL BRUYÈRE AND CHÂTEAU BARBANAU are two vineyards in a single spot straddling two appellations in Provence, France. The Clos Val Bruyère vineyard in the Cassis AOC was created around 1900 by Émile Bodin. Bodin’s great grand-children Sophie and Didier Simonini-Cerciello took over Clos Val Bruyère vineyard, then added both the vines – and winery – of the neighbouring Château Barbanau in the Côtes de Provence AOC. Its winery had to be renovated, having been unused since Barbanau began sending its grapes to the local wine cooperative in 1960. Having rebuilt the winery and storage the couple produced their first vintage in 1989.

OWNER Sophie and Didier Simonini-Cerciello.

VINEYARD The two vineyards combined total 30.5 hectares (75 acres) and lie in a single spot but straddling two appellations. There are 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres) at Clos Val Bruyère of Cassis AOC. There are 23 hectares (57 acres) at Château Barbanau of Côtes de Provence AOC.

CERTIFICATION 1999-2004 Bio sans papiers for both vineyards. 2008 First vintage with full organic certification. 2017 Still certified organic.

WINES

CASSIS BLANC AOC, CLOS VAL BRUYÈRE 2012 40% Clairette, 30% Marsanne, 20% Ugni Blanc, 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Hand picked. Clean, simple at Mill Bio 2014.

CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ, CHÂTEAU BARBANAU, L’INSTANT 2013 33% each Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache Noir. Machine picked. Anonymous clean sherbet when tasted at Millésime Bio 2014.

CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROUGE, CHÂTEAU BARBANAU, L’INSTANT 2012 60% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah. Machine picked. A bit phenolic when tasted at Millésime Bio 2014.

CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROUGE, CHÂTEAU BARBANAU, ET-CAE-TERA 2012 90% Syrah, 10% Grenache Noir. Aged in new oak for 12 months. Somewhat anonymous made-by-numbers Provence red when tasted at Millésime Bio 2014.

CONTACT Château Barbanau, F-13830 Roquefort Le Bedoule (Bouches du Rhône), France / Tel+33 (0)4.42.73.14.60 / www.chateau-barbanau.com