Since purchasing the estate in 1975, Comte Henri de Saint-Victor and his son Eric have been producing some of the most seductively aromatic and nobly structured wines in all of Southern France. Perched atop the highest and northernmost part of the appellation, the Château commands sweeping vistas of the amphitheater of vines and the Mediterranean Sea.
The restanques, or terraces were carved into the hill to minimize erosion and maximize water absorption, which is of the utmost importance in a hot, dry terroir such as this one. The soil at Château de Pibarnon is unique, differing from that of its neighbors further down the slope. As a result of a geological anomaly purported to have taken place at the end of the Mesozoic Era, Pibarnon's soils contain large quantities of blue marl and limestone, as well as fossil material which is 150 million years older than that found in other parts of the appellation. The dearth of nutrition provided by these stony, fossil-studded soils ensures that the vines achieve maximum vigor through their daily struggle to survive.
While Pibarnon's flagship cuvée is a classic vin de garde which can take as many as ten years to begin to show all its glory, 'Les Restanques', made with 70% Mourvèdre and 30% Grenache, is styled for a lush texture and more immediate approachability. Not to be missed are the Bandol Rosé and rare Blanc which are also considered benchmarks for quality.
Farming Practice: Certified Organic
Vinous Media 92 "Glistening orange. Pungent cherry, blood orange and floral scents, along with suggestions of succulent herbs and chalky minerals. Weighty red berry, citrus fruit
Wine Spectator 91 "This has a singed juniper hint out front, followed by bay, olive and leather hints that pervade the core of lightly steeped cherry
Vinous Media 93 "Vivid orange-pink. A wild, complex bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-tinged citrus fruits, red berries, nectarine and honey, along with a powerful floral overtone. Stains
Wine Advocate 93 "While most 2012s from the region are slightly superficial and charming, Pibarnon’s 2012 Bandol Rouge has real depth and density, as well as
Wine Advocate 93 "Like the Restanque de Pibarnon, the 2011 Bandol Rouge shows the sunnier nature of the vintage with its sexy, layered personality. More elegant,
Vinous Media 93 "Light orange-pink. Vibrant and sharply focused on the nose, displaying intense tangerine, white peach and strawberry scents complicated by suave floral and mineral
Vinous Media 91 "Brilliant orange-pink. Mineral-tinged red berry, citrus fruit and lavender aromas are complemented by a deeper nectarine quality. Sappy and seamless on the palate,
Wine Spectator 92 "Shows range to the blood orange, peach pit, white raspberry and white cherry fruit flavors, gilded with notes of sandalwood and savory through
Wine Spectator 93 "Ripe and broad-textured, with concentrated roasted plum, dried berry and wild cherry flavors, accented by notes of paprika and white pepper. Bittersweet chocolate
Vinous Media 92 "Light, bright orange. Fresh tangerine, melon and white flowers on the fragrant nose. Juicy and focused, offering intense citrus fruit and red berry
"The most serious rosé we offer, the Château de Pibarnon hails from the storied Bandol AOC and uses a blend of 65% Mourvèdre, 35% Cinsault.
Stephen Tanzer 91 "Light, bright orange. Blood orange, cherry, herbal and floral aromas are underscored by a lively mineral quality. At once dense and
"Always between 90-95% Mourvedre. Partial de-stemming is practiced as well as a lengthy maceration to achieve optimum extraction. After fermentation, the wine spends a minimum
Wine Advocate 92 "One of the top roses coming from the region, the 2012 Bandol Rose gives up mineral-driven notions of orange peel, rose petal, hints
"The most serious rosé we offer, the Château de Pibarnon hails from the storied Bandol AOC and uses a blend of 65% Mourvèdre, 35% Cinsault.
Wine Advocate 94 "Moving to the classic cuvee and even more impressive (it was one of the top wines I was able to taste for this
Since purchasing the estate in 1975, Comte Henri de Saint-Victor and his son Eric have been producing some of the most seductively aromatic and nobly
Wine Spectator 90 "Dark cherry and cassis notes glide through, inlaid with tobacco, anise and singed alder details. There's a leathery echo on the back end
End of item list
