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Today’s offering focuses on a wine that was inexplicably not reviewed by the wine press. Even Wine Spectator, which listed the 2003 Gros Noré Bandol among the “Top 100” wines of the year, failed to review the 2005. This is strange because we know that 2005 was an outstanding vintage in the south of France (see Chateau Pibarnon, Domaine Tempier, etc.)

So the 2005 Gros Noré Bandol sat in an importer’s warehouse waiting to be discovered. We recently tasted it and were blown away. Now, it has been discovered. We bought enough to get the price way down. Trust us folks, this is a terrific $25 wine!

Although Bandol produces the most serious red wines in Provence, it is still isn't a particularly well known appellation. And the chances are that if people have heard of Bandol, it’s the wines of Tempier (and perhaps also Pibarnon) that they are familiar with. But less well known Bandol producers are making some seriously good wines these days. One producer who is the current rising star is Domaine Gros' Noré. Owner Alain Pascal has 16 ha of vines (some of which aren't in production yet) with an average age of 30 years, and the first official vintage was 1997. Prior to this his father worked the vineyards but never made his own wine -- a scenario repeated throughout many French wine regions.

Mourvèdre is what Bandol is all about: an exciting grape variety when it is grown in climates 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 dash of Cinsault (15%) and old vine Carignan (5%). It is aged for 18 months in old 60 hl wooden barrels (foudres); there are no new barriques used here.