Domaine du Gros ‘Noré Bandol Rosé
Tasting Note
This savory rosé is loaded with flavors of red fruit, blood orange, fresh cut herbs, and sea salt. The wine is perfect for drinking now, yet equally ideal for laying down in the cellar. This is Provencal perfection in one of its finest forms! Blend: 54% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault, 19% Grenache, 2% Clairette
Why We Love This Rosé
This sustainably-farmed rosé is produced at the hands of one of the region’s most quintessential producers. The wine is made from 65% direct-pressed and 35% macerated fruit, which adds various textures and complexities to the wine. This isn’t your pale-hued ‘tastes like water’ juice -- this wine has some serious backbone.
Region/Appellation - Bandol
Bandol is a coastal village located in the heart of France’s southerly Provence region. Its eponymous wine appellation spans approximately 1,550 hectares of vines, most of which lay scattered around the small seaside town itself. Bandol wines are produced in red, white, and rosé format, though the region is best known for its powerhouse red and ageworthy rosé productions. These wines tend to have high percentages of Mourvèdre, as the appellation requires that this variety comprise at least 50% of the blend (reds). Mourvèdre thrives in Bandol’s Mediterranean climate, which is marked by sun-soaked days and cooler evenings. Rosés from Bandol account for about one-third of the region’s total production. Because of their (usually) high percentages of Mourvèdre, these rosés are rather savory, food-friendly, and cellar-worthy -- seriously, we’re talking decades in the cellar! These bottles are no joke.
About the Winemaker
A former boxer, Alain Pascal pursued vinification after years of selling off his fruit to Domaine Ott, Château de Pibarnon, and other local heavy hitters. Today, the wines produced at Gros ‘Noré have just as much personality as the hands that make them. Alain farms 16 hectares of vineyards with his brother Guy, most of which are located on the slopes of La Cadière d’Azur. Here, limestone and clay vineyards dominate the soils, and warm, sun-soaked days are balanced by regular cooling Mistral winds that blow in from the north. Alain uses high percentages of Mourvèdre in his blends, which produce wines with as much intensity and backbone as he himself has -- though don’t get it twisted. These wines are loaded with soul, personality, and serious sophistication.
Serving Situation
This structured and food-friendly rosé comes to life when sipped alongside caprese salads, grilled seafood skewers, and an array of fried snacks. 