"A new Favorite for Pibarnon and this Bandol composed of 90% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache, aged 18 to 20 months in barrel. A beautiful ruby-red color, a complex, intense nose of vegetal, woody, fruity (black fruits, bitter orange) and spicy (coriander, pepper) aromas: a most engaging introduction. What follows does not disappoint: the palate, typical of its terroir, delights with its volume, density, well-presented but remarkably silky tannins, and long, finely cocoaed finish. A very fine representative of the appellation, with a character that is as assertive as it should be". (Le Guide Hachette des Vins 2021)
Features
Estate
Château de Pibarnon
Vintage
2017
Designation
Bandol
Region
Provence
Grape varieties
90% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache
Terroirs
Triastic soil with very high limestone content
Viticulture
Surface area of 20 ha of hillside terraces, yields of 34 hl/ha
Harvest
Manual in 20kg boxes
Winemaking
Daily manual punching down for gentle extraction of fine tannins, followed by a very long vatting period before running off.
Breeding
18 months in oak tuns
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Deep, dark color
Nose
Intense aromas of ripe fruit, spices and subtle floral notes.
Mouth
Ample, complex and gourmet, elegant minty freshness, velvety tannins, harmony between power and elegance.
Serve
Decant at 17°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink before
2035
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with duck breast, prime rib, shoulder of lamb...
Château de Pibarnon
Bandol
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Domaine rated (2016 guide) 4*Stars (Top-quality producers, the glories of French winegrowing)
About the domain :
Château de Pibarnon is an 18th-century bastide set 300 meters above sea level in a vast amphitheater facing the sea, on a hill where the old optical telegraph linking Toulon to Paris once stood. From here, you can overlook the entire vineyard and even the villages of La Cadière and Le Castellet. It was this extraordinary view that Henri and Catherine de Saint-Victor fell in love with nearly 30 years ago. The terroir, absolutely unique, could constitute an appellation in itself, as the soil is very special, composed of a high proportion of limestone from the Trias, a geological peculiarity to which is added the presence of blue marl found in the terroirs of Petrus and Château d'Yquem. The 45-hectare estate, today managed with talent by Éric de Saint-Victor, produces mainly red wines from the Mourvèdre grape variety.
Guide Hachette des vins
Wine rated (guide 2021) 2*Coup de Coeur (Outstanding wine)
Domaine rated (guide 2016) Awarded wines (The wines of this producer are regularly awarded by the guide)
About the wine:
A new Favorite for Pibarnon and this Bandol composed of 90% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache, aged 18 to 20 months in barrel. A beautiful ruby-red color, a complex, intense nose of vegetal, woody, fruity (black fruit, bitter orange) and spicy (coriander, pepper) aromas: a most engaging introduction. What follows does not disappoint: the palate, typical of its terroir, delights with its volume, density, well-presented but remarkably silky tannins, and long, finely cocoaed finish. A very fine representative of the appellation, with an assertive character as it should be.
About the domain :
In 1978, the de Saint-Victor family (now Éric) established a foothold on this Bandolais land, which they farm using non-certified organic methods. After numerous expansions, the estate now boasts 50 hectares of vines planted on terraces 300 m above sea level, forming a south-east-facing cirque. An essential reference in the Bandol appellation.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Domaine noté Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (guide 2022) 94/100
Estate rated (2016 guide) 1*Star (Stars in the making or quality winemakers with good production levels, you won't be disappointed when you taste the wines from these estates)
About the wine:
This very Bandol is shining brightly, with a dense, velvety, perfectly defined body that looks set to keep for over twenty years. In this dry vintage, this 2017 manages to retain remarkable harmony and freshness.
About the domain :
Henri de Saint-Victor founded Château de Pibarnon in 1978, making it one of Bandol's most emblematic estates in just a few decades (along with Tempier and Pradeaux). His son Éric has been at the helm of the estate since 2000, cultivating 50 ha of vines (45 ha of reds and 5 ha of whites) on the limestone terroirs of La Cadière-d'Azur. He produces two reds: Château (90% Mouvèdre and 10% Grenache), designed for ageing, and the younger Les Restanques, made from young vines with only 70% Mouvèdre and 30% Grenache. Despite a few irregularities during the 2000s, the reds, a good spokesperson for Bandol wines and their ageing potential, have been back to their best since 2010. In recent vintages, Eric de Saint-Victor's selection of parcels at the heart of his terroir has given flesh and breadth to reds with a silky, concentrated character and a highly civilized balance between wood and fruit expression.
Customer reviews
Customer rating
3/5
out of 2 reviews
Note and review by M. SEBASTIEN P. Published on 17/04/2024
A little disappointed by this bottle, in particular by its high alcoholic strength. The tannins are nevertheless smooth and promising. To be reviewed in 5 years...
See all reviews from this customer
Note and review by M. ALAIN D. Published on 06/05/2024
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