Château des Tourettes and Tinus, the Luberon outpost of Jean-Marie Guffens
It was back in 1979 when Jean-Marie Guffens established his famous Mâconnais estate Domaine Guffens-Heynen which was later joined by his negociant arm, Verget.
But in the late 1990s Maine Heynen and Jean-Marie Guffens moved south, to the Luberon, where they bought and revitalized an estate called Château des Tourettes. He replanted the vineyards, which are at 420 m and thus have a cooler microclimate than many in the region, and also have quite a bit of limestone.
Currently there are 15 hectares of vines here, with a range of varieties, both white and red. He bottles everything as Vin de France, because Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, two of the varieties he has, aren’t allowed under the AOC Luberon rules.
Tinus is the name of his grandfather, and this is his premium range.
THE WINES
Tinus Grand Blanc 2016 Vin de France
Beautiful matchstick reduction on the nose alongside the pear and peach fruit, as well as some citrus. The palate has lovely weight and texture with nice reduction adding interest. A stunning wine. 95/100
Tinus Chardonnay Plateau de L’Aigle 2020 Vin de France
Fermented and aged in barrels (25% new) for eight months, before subsequent ageing in concrete vats for ten months This is linear and focused and mineral with lovely detail to the spice, pear and peach fruit. Really good depth and intensity. Mineral, complex and fine. 95/100
Tinus Raisins Rotis 2017 Vin de France
Roussanne 40%, Viognier 40%, Marsanne 20%. Complex and layered with pear, peach, apples and minerals with some richness but also some stoniness. Very expressive. 94/100
UK availability: Roberson
