Owner Alain Pascal has 16 ha of vines in the prime sector of Cadiere d’Azur. They have an average age of 30 years. The first official vintage released was 1997. Prior to this, Alain’s father, Honore (his name is shortened to ‘Nore to give the name of the Domaine as Gros Noré = Fat Honore) worked the vineyards but never made his own wine. Instead he sold the grapes to another leading Bandol producer at that time, Chateau de Pibarnon.

Bandol is regarded as the First Growth of Provence producing the most serious, and well known, wines of Provence. The Mourvèdre grape variety is the basis of great Bandol with appellation laws requiring a minimum of 50% for the red wines (though many use up to 100% for some cuvees). As well as Mourvèdre (80%), the Gros’ Noré red also has a dash of Grenache(15%), and old vine Cinsault (5%). The wine is aged for 18 months in old 60 hl wooden barrels (foudres). There are no new barriques used. Only one cuvee of red wine is produced, and it is bottled without fining or filtration.

2009 Bandol Rosé (40% Mouvèdre, 20% Grenache and 40% Cinsault)
“Full, ripe and creamy displaying lush and alluring fruit flavours of raspberry, cherry and plum. The long finish of white chocolate and spice features hints of pepper. Drink now through 2013.”     91pts – Wine Spectator July ‘10

2008 Bandol Rouge
Deep purple to black in the glass, the wine lifts with spicy sweet confectionary like characters that integrate with herb, olive and some stone/mineral/graphite highlights. Very concentrated rich black fruit builds through a dense tannin filled, savoury palate with great concentration.

2007 Bandol Rouge 750 + 1500 ml
The cool summer and late ripening vintage of 2007 stands as one of the great vintages for Mourvèdre and one of the greatest vintages for Bandol.
“Very plush, with rich dark plum, cherry and kirsch flavors. Elegant violet and black licorice notes come to the fore, and this finishes with dark chocolate and spice notes. Drink now through 2017. 2,250 cases made.”     91pts – Wine Spectator  November ‘10