Domaine du Gros‘ Noré, Bandol
Alain Pascal
Although it has been said that Bandol produces the most serious red and rosé wines in Provence, it is still relatively unknown.
Domaine du Gros‘ Noré is situated on the outskirts of the picturesque Provençal hilltop village of La Cadière d’Azur between Marseille and Toulon, the prime Var region, set back from the hustle of the coast.
Owner Alain Pascal has 16 hectares of fairly old (averaging about 30 years old) vines. His first official vintage was released in 1997.
Prior to this, Alain’s father, Honoré, (his name is shortened to ‘Noré to give the name of the domaine as Gros‘ Noré meaning Big Honoré) worked the vineyards but never made his own wine. Instead he sold the grapes to the leading Bandol producer, Chateau de Pibarnon, while his son Alain, who has always been passionate about wine, when he wasn’t boxing, produced micro-cuvées of wines for his own interest.
Mourvèdre is the predominant grape: an exciting grape variety when it is grown in climates that are warm enough for it to ripen fully, capable of producing meaty, spicy reds, often with a slightly 'animal' nature.
As well as Mourvèdre (80%), the Gros‘ Noré red also has a little Cinsault (15%) and old vine Carignan (5%). All harvested by hand. It is aged for 18 months in 60 hl wooden barrels (foudres). Only one cuvée of red wine is produced, and it is bottled without fining or filtration. This well balanced wine can be cellared for up to ten years or equally enjoyed now and has been listed in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Most Exciting Wines.
The rare white wine is made from Clairette (70%) and Ugni Blanc (30%), while the delicate but aromatic rosé is from Mourvèdre (40%), Grenache (20%) and Cinsault (40%).
Overall, production is about 60,000 bottles, of which 75% of this is red, 20% rosé and just 5% white.This is a domaine that has captured our hearts with the stunning quality of wine, warmth of welcome and beautiful location. They also have reception and dining rooms for hire and when picking a place to celebrate my 40th birthday this was an obvious choice and many thanks must go to Alain Pascal for a wonderful celebratory meal second to none in location and quality of sea food!!
Alain Pascal
Although it has been said that Bandol produces the most serious red and rosé wines in Provence, it is still relatively unknown.
Domaine du Gros‘ Noré is situated on the outskirts of the picturesque Provençal hilltop village of La Cadière d’Azur between Marseille and Toulon, the prime Var region, set back from the hustle of the coast.
Owner Alain Pascal has 16 hectares of fairly old (averaging about 30 years old) vines. His first official vintage was released in 1997.
Prior to this, Alain’s father, Honoré, (his name is shortened to ‘Noré to give the name of the domaine as Gros‘ Noré meaning Big Honoré) worked the vineyards but never made his own wine. Instead he sold the grapes to the leading Bandol producer, Chateau de Pibarnon, while his son Alain, who has always been passionate about wine, when he wasn’t boxing, produced micro-cuvées of wines for his own interest.
Mourvèdre is the predominant grape: an exciting grape variety when it is grown in climates that are warm enough for it to ripen fully, capable of producing meaty, spicy reds, often with a slightly 'animal' nature.
As well as Mourvèdre (80%), the Gros‘ Noré red also has a little Cinsault (15%) and old vine Carignan (5%). All harvested by hand. It is aged for 18 months in 60 hl wooden barrels (foudres). Only one cuvée of red wine is produced, and it is bottled without fining or filtration. This well balanced wine can be cellared for up to ten years or equally enjoyed now and has been listed in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Most Exciting Wines.
The rare white wine is made from Clairette (70%) and Ugni Blanc (30%), while the delicate but aromatic rosé is from Mourvèdre (40%), Grenache (20%) and Cinsault (40%).
Overall, production is about 60,000 bottles, of which 75% of this is red, 20% rosé and just 5% white.This is a domaine that has captured our hearts with the stunning quality of wine, warmth of welcome and beautiful location. They also have reception and dining rooms for hire and when picking a place to celebrate my 40th birthday this was an obvious choice and many thanks must go to Alain Pascal for a wonderful celebratory meal second to none in location and quality of sea food!!
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