Viniou Reviews
Château Cabran’s 2016 Cuvée de la Vigne Haute is a remarkable red from the Côtes-de-Provence appellation, capturing the essence of Provence’s historic winemaking traditions. This wine is typically a blend, often dominated by Grenache and Syrah with possible touches of Mourvèdre or Carignan, bringing both ripe, sun-kissed fruit and a subtle, herbal depth. 2016 was considered a superb vintage for the region, with healthy grapes producing wines of balance and elegance. The careful vinification respects the freshness and aromatic vivacity of Provence reds, emphasising both structure and approachability. With a few years in the bottle, this wine is now at a promising evolution, offering softened tannins and developed complexity.
The Côtes-de-Provence region is distinguished by its mosaic of terroirs, stretching from the Mediterranean coast to inland hills. The climate here is typically Mediterranean, with abundant sunshine, dry summers, and cooling sea breezes that help the grapes retain their freshness. The soils are varied, often featuring limestone, schist, and clay, which contribute to the distinctive character of the wines. Provence boasts a winemaking heritage dating back thousands of years, making it one of France’s oldest wine regions, renowned mostly for its rosés but increasingly noted for its expressive reds.
For food pairings, Château Cabran’s red is especially well suited to Provençal dishes such as lamb with herbs de Provence, ratatouille, or grilled vegetables drizzled with olive oil. It also complements Mediterranean roasted meats, tapenade, and hard cheeses like Tomme de Provence. The wine’s supple tannins and fragrant herbal notes make it a lovely partner for charcuterie boards as well.
To enjoy this wine at its best, serve at a slightly cool room temperature, ideally between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for thirty minutes will allow the wine to open up and reveal its charming bouquet. This 2016 vintage is very enjoyable now but can be kept a couple more years for those who appreciate mellowed tertiary notes.
