Antoine Pouponneau, who made wine at the prestigious Tour du Bon winery in Bandol for over a decade, recently began a new winemaking venture in the Côtes de Provence. Antoine and his close friend Jean-Christophe Comor (a professor of politics at the university of Aix) have been farming some plots of organic vines in the Maure mountain overlooking the sea and some other plots in and around Beausset that are blessed with an arid clay-limestone soil. Comptoirs Magdala produces three dynamic organic cuvees and a fruity bag in the box rose from the four indigenous varieties that the region is so well known for: Mourvedre, Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault. These wines will surprise you, as they are more fruit-forward and zesty than what this picturesque region normally produces.
Certification: Organic.
La Chance: – Back to the top
Age of Vines: 7 to 40 Years Old
Yields: 35 hl/ha 2,000 bottles
Pruning Method: Gobelet
Soil: Clay.
Varietals: A blend of 4 year old Mourvedre, Grenache and Cinsault vines.
Vinification Method: Grapes are harvested by hand in small baskets, hand sorted and then destemmed. The fruit undergoes a cold soak and an extended maceration. Only native yeasts are used and the wine is aged in stainless steel tanks for 11 months before it is bottled without filtration.
Tasting Note: Garnet in the glass with shimmering silver highlights. Bright cherry and candied plum scents dominate the nose. This is a light and fruit forward red with moderate acidity and a zesty finish.
Pairing: Works well with grilled chicken and pork, also with picnic dishes.
L’Amourvedre: – Back to the top
print Comptoirs de Magdala Amourvedre sheet
Age of Vines: 7 to 40 Years Old
Yields: 25hl/ha 3,500 bottles
Pruning Method: Gobelet
Soil: Clay and limestone.
Varietals: 100% Mourvedre.
Vinification Method: Grapes are harvested by hand in small baskets, hand sorted and then destemmed. The fruit undergoes a cold soak and an extended maceration. Only native yeasts are used and the wine is aged in oak before it is bottled without filtration.
Tasting Note: Nearly blue-black in the glass with smoky herbs, black fruit, saddle leather and black olives dominating the nose. The palate is a dense and vibrant expression of ripe black fruit flavors backed by a supple mineral core and framed in a delightful note of oak.
Pairing: Grilled lamb, pork and beef, spicy chicken dishes and char-grilled burgers.
Escapade: – Back to the top
print Comptoirs de Magdala Escapade sheet
Age of Vines: 7 to 40 Years Old
Yields: 25hl/ha 5,000 bottles
Pruning Method: Gobelet
Soil: Schist soil in the Maure Mountains at 350 meters above the sea.
Varietals: 45% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 45% Mourvedre.
Vinification Method: Grapes are harvested by hand in small baskets, hand sorted and then destemmed. The fruit undergoes a cold soak and an extended maceration. Only native yeasts are used and the wine is aged in oak before it is bottled without filtration.
Tasting Note: Deep purple in the glass with shimmering garnet highlights. The nose is loaded with bright red and black fruit, flowery perfume and backed by herbaceous spice, plus notes of black olives, sea coast and pounded stones. Crushed plum and cherry flavors dominate the palate. This is a juicy and vibrantly alive red with loads of mineral weight and impressive depth. The wine finishes with mellow tannins tempered by silken mineral infused acidity and framed in a slight note of oak.
Pairing: Grilled lamb, beef or chicken, cassoulet, roasts, aged cheeses.
Côtes de Provence Rosé Box Wine: – Back to the top
print Comptoirs de Magdala Rosé sheet
Age of Vines: 7 to 40 years old.
Yields:
Pruning Method: gobelet.
Soil: Schist soil in the Maure Mountains at 350 meters above the sea.
Varietals: 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault.
Vinification Method: Rapes are harvested by hand in small baskets, hand sorted and then destemmed. The fruit undergoes a cold soak prior to direct pressing. Only native yeasts are used and the wine is aged in stainless steel until the spring when it is bagged and boxed, without filtration, upon demand.
Tasting Note: Pale peach pink in the glass.Tis medium to full-bodied gem has dusty strawberry & watermelon fresh flavors that are backed by a succulent note of mineral zest. This summer sipper has lovely & refreshing fruit flavor and a vibrant finish.
Pairing: Grilled fish or chicken, hearty garden salads, roast vegetables & young cheeses.
