Bandol - Provence - France
- Feb 5
- 4 min read
Viticulture in Provence is probably the oldest in France, along with that around Narbonne. It has a subtropical climate, with over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, strongly influenced by the Mistral winds. This climate makes it possible to produce fully organic wine without any problems.
The four classic Provençal varieties for rosé and red are Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Tibouren. Grenache is the most widely planted variety in Provence and, along with Cinsault, is used to produce one of the finest rosés in the world.
Bandol, however, is a separate AOC, and the wines from here are primarily made from Mourvedre. These wines are so beautiful and unique that connoisseurs consider them Grand Crus, comparing them to a very good Bordeaux that can age for many years. This will only enhance the wine's quality.
The city of Bandol is a beautiful old town with a harbor and a charming boulevard where you can enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many restaurants, accompanied by a good glass of Bandol. Be sure to dine at Restaurant Le Square . The food is truly excellent, with a good wine and food pairing, for a reasonable price, but worthy of a Michelin star.
If you're looking for a delicious Provence rosé , I can offer you a very good alternative made from the same grapes from an area very close to Provence, Cote de Thongue, but at a better price.
The breathtaking beauty of the Pibarnon vineyard and the originality of its exceptional terroir are captured in the majesty of its wines.
The refinement and elegance of Pibarnon wines originates from its captivating location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, where the vines, planted on restanques (traditional Provençal dry stone retaining walls) up to 300 meters above sea level, enjoy a carefully preserved ecosystem and exceptional local soil. On this exceptional soil, the Saint Victor family has been leading a great adventure for over 30 years, placing Pibarnon among some of France's greatest wines.
During my visit to this chateau, I received a personal tour, an explanation of how this wine is made, and a tasting from the young but extremely talented winemaker Marie Laroze. Pibarnon wine is somewhat softer and silkier than most other Bandol wines. It is the highest winery in Bandol, at an altitude of 300 meters. For their exceptionally fine AOP Bandol wine, they use 70-90% Mourvèdre and 10-30% Grenache. The average price for this top-quality wine is €36, but for this quality, it's certainly not excessive. This wine can easily be kept for another 10 years and, like a good Bordeaux like Pauillac (to which it is compared by prominent wine critics), will only improve.
The Tempier Estate already existed during the reign of Louis XV. The bastide was built in 1834 and won its first gold medal in 1885. After the serious phylloxera crisis, Léonie Tempier (great-grandmother of Lucie Peyraud) replanted the vines onto American rootstocks. The vault was built and cement tanks were set up.
During my visit to Domaine Tempier, I was warmly welcomed by owner Véronique Peyraud. Véronique is a direct descendant of the Tempier family, who founded this winery in 1834. The vineyard, which was over 100 years old at the time, is the oldest registered AOP vineyard in Bandol. They operate biodynamically, basing their vineyard work on the phases of the moon, ensuring complete harmony between viticulture and nature. Their wines have enjoyed an excellent reputation for years and have won numerous international awards. Terroir is very important here, and they have several vintages, each with its own unique character and flavor. I was able to taste them all, including wine straight from the barrels that will be bottled in a few months 😉🍷.
The wine can be made with Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, and a little Syrah. As prescribed by AOP Bandol, the wine is aged for at least 18 months in large oak barrels. This wine is of such excellent quality that you can drink it now, but also after 20 years, where the freshness, spice, and fruitiness perfectly combine. The wine has good tannins and lovely acidity, ensuring its quality. I tasted the 1992 (28 years old), and what a fantastic wine! This was truly a gift you don't receive every day. Of course, I bought some wines, including the Tempier Cuvée La Migoua. I'll keep this wine in my cellar for later.
Domaines Bunan
Nestled in the heart of the Bandol appellation, on the edge of the Mediterranean, the Moulin des Costes in the Cadière d'Azur is an exceptional site perched atop limestone hills. In 1961, Paul and Pierre Bunan, men steeped in Mediterranean viticulture, fell in love with an estate in the Bandol region, a noble and widely respected wine-growing area in the south of France.
Paul's son, Laurent, returned to the family estate after completing his studies in oenology and winemaking in California. He was the first of the next generation to open the doors to a newer, more modern approach. Today, he is responsible for the export and development of Domaines Bunan. His sister, Françoise, is responsible for the communication through art, which plays a central role in her strategy. The combined talents of this family come together to create a warm, welcoming, and highly skilled team. Excellence and authenticity are the hallmarks of this family, which prides itself on producing wines of exceptional quality.
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