2020 Thyrsus IGP, Domaine de la Bégude

• Style: Full-Bodied Red
• Taste: Blackcurrant, black pepper, thyme, mineral spine
• Food: Grilled lamb, roasted game, braised beef
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night
• Serve: 16–18°C, with air

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Blackcurrant and blackberry lead, layered with black pepper, thyme, and a whisper of cinnamon warmth. The tannins are crunchy and bright rather than brutal, with a mineral spine that speaks to the limestone soils and 400-metre altitude. Full-bodied, bone-dry, and built for the table.

The Winery — Domaine de la Bégude

In 1996, seventh-generation winemaker Guillaume Tari rescued this abandoned Provençal estate—once a shelter for travellers (its name means 'the place to drink' in the local tongue)—and replanted the old terraces. His obsession with Mourvèdre runs deep: he's assembled the world's largest collection of 116 clones, fascinated by the grape's capacity to evolve in bottle. The 2020 vintage tested even his organic vineyards, yet limestone water retention carried the vines through spring frost and summer heat. Hand-harvested fruit fermented in amphorae with natural yeasts for ten days, then rested for six months in the same vessels, softening intensity while preserving mineral brightness. Bottled without added sulphur, it's organic and vegan.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Grilled lamb, roasted game, and well-aged hard cheeses are its natural companions, though slow-braised beef stew or charred mushrooms will coax out the wine's spicier dimensions. Serve at 16–18°C with a gentle decant to let the tannins open. A wine that rewards patience and a good piece of meat, this Mourvèdre sits at the heart of what we've selected from France. Perfect for Sunday lunch or a date night where substance matters. Explore the rest of our Full Bodied Red Wine collection to see how other Mediterranean expressions compare.