Why it matters
The producer
Three kilometers from the Mediterranean, Château Les Mesclances sits in La Crau, Var, and has been owned by the Villeneuve Bargemon family since the early 16th century. Its vineyards carry Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle, Ugni Blanc and Viognier.
Traditional top trellising keeps the vines arranged along the rows. The vineyard is worked with “reasoned” viticulture, using minimal herbicides and pesticides. The estate bottles Mourvèdre as a red wine and also produces the white Cuvée Saint Honorat Blanc.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The vineyard crosses a plain, the foot of a slope and steeper inclines. Each position carries a different appellation: IGP Méditerranée in the plain, AOP Côtes de Provence at the slope foot, and the rare AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe on the steeper inclines.
An appellation is the geographic category printed on the label. Here, elevation and soil composition change the name attached to the wine.
Wines to know
The range in view
Château Les Mesclances Mourvèdre 2022 is the estate’s red bottle, made from 100% Mourvèdre at 14% alcohol by volume. It is organically certified. Cuvée Saint Honorat Blanc 2020 is a separate white wine.
The two bottles divide the range by colour. One names a single grape directly, while the other carries the Cuvée Saint Honorat Blanc name.