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2017 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros ’NoréThe genial Alain Pascal
Here in the Bay Area, fall has hit hard: we’re receiving our first real rainfall in many months, and temperatures have plummeted (to the mid-50s, but it’s all relative). Sweaters are out, the heat is turned up, and the mood is cozy indoors—all that’s missing is a robust red brimming with deep, soulful flavors to righteously usher in the cold months. Alain Pascal’s 2017 rouge is certainly still on the young side, but all it takes is a quick splash in a decanter to coax out its colorful, spirited Provençal character. A bold, tannic beast scented of roasted herbs with a chewy texture as thick and deep as the clay soils that spawned it, this big baby roars out of the gate with real verve. A hearty roast, served with a side of garlicky potatoes seasoned with cooking juices, would be its ideal companion.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 80% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache, 5% Cinsault |
Appellation: | Bandol |
Country: | France |
Region: | Provence |
Producer: | Domaine du Gros ‘Noré |
Winemaker: | Alain Pascal |
Vineyard: | 30 years average, 14 ha |
Soil: | Clay |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
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2020 Côtes de Provence Syrah “Les Planches de la Garedivole”
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About The Region
Provence
Perhaps there is no region more closely aligned with the history to Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant than Provence. Provence is where Richard Olney, an American ex-pat and friend of Alice Waters, lived, and introduced Kermit to the great producers of Provence, most importantly Domaine Tempier of Bandol. Kermit also spends upwards of half his year at his home in a small town just outside of Bandol.
Vitis vinifera first arrived in France via Provence, landing in the modern day port city of Marseille in the 6th century BC. The influence of terroir on Provençal wines goes well beyond soil types. The herbs from the pervasive scrubland, often referred to as garrigue, as well as the mistral—a cold, drying wind from the northwest that helps keep the vines free of disease—play a significant role in the final quality of the grapes. Two more elements—the seemingly ever-present sun and cooling saline breezes from the Mediterranean—lend their hand in creating a long growing season that result in grapes that are ripe but with good acidity.
Rosé is arguably the most well known type of wine from Provence, but the red wines, particularly from Bandol, possess a great depth of character and ability to age. The white wines of Cassis and Bandol offer complexity and ideal pairings for the sea-influenced cuisine. Mourvèdre reigns king for red grapes, and similar to the Languedoc and Rhône, Grenache, Cinsault, Marsanne, Clairette, Rolle, Ugni Blanc among many other grape varieties are planted.
More from Provence or France
2021 Alpes-Maritimes Grassenc “Les Planches de Lunel”
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2016 Les Baux de Provence Rouge “Cornaline”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Migoua”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
Domaine de la Tour du Bon France | Provence
2021 Vin de Pays du Mont Caume Rouge “Terre d’Ombre”
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Côtes de Provence Syrah “Les Planches de la Garedivole”
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2022 Bandol Rosé
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2022 Cassis Blanc
Clos Ste Magdeleine France | Provence
2018 Bandol Rouge
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Côtes de Provence Rouge
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rosé
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2021 Alpes-Maritimes Grassenc “Les Planches de Lunel”
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2016 Les Baux de Provence Rouge “Cornaline”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Migoua”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
Domaine de la Tour du Bon France | Provence
2021 Vin de Pays du Mont Caume Rouge “Terre d’Ombre”
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Côtes de Provence Syrah “Les Planches de la Garedivole”
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2022 Bandol Rosé
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2022 Cassis Blanc
Clos Ste Magdeleine France | Provence
2018 Bandol Rouge
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
2020 Côtes de Provence Rouge
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rosé
Domaine de Terrebrune France | Provence
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236