Notify me
2014 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros'Noré
In always looking to fine-tune his craft, Alain Pascal may be his own toughest critic. But in striving for perfection, he catches excellence, as they say. His 2014 Bandol rouge is a vintage that Alain describes as gouleyant—easy-drinking, but also effortless, charming, and laced with nuance. It's been delicious since release, and continues to get better.
—Jane Augustine
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2014 |
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: | 14 ha |
Soil: | Clay |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

2022 Alpes-Maritimes Grassenc “Les Planches de Lunel”
France | Provence
A single barrel was produced of this delicate, peppery, low-alcohol red from a forgotten grape variety. Serve chilled.

2024 Bandol Rosé
France | Provence
Crisp and characterful, and loaded with Provençal complexity, it’s a balanced blend of structured Mourvèdre with equal parts Cinsault, a more delicate variety, and fruit-forward Grenache.

2020 Alpilles Rouge “Amethyste”
France | Provence
Cinsault raised in concrete egg: all about finesse.

2024 Méditerranée Blanc
France | Provence
Featuring Vermentino, Ugni Blanc, and Clairette, the three varieties meld together to create a white that breaks the mold entirely for what we’ve come to expect from this magical stretch of Provençal coastline.

2018 Bandol Rouge MAGNUM
France | Provence
Here is a full-bodied dose of Terrebrune terroir you can enjoy over the next thirty years.

2021 Bandol Rouge
France | Provence
This is a full-blooded Bandol, teeming with soul and flavor.

2021 Côtes de Provence Syrah “Les Planches de la Garedivole”
France | Provence
If Hermitage were grown in the Provençal Alps...

2017 Alpilles Blanc “Dolia”
France | Provence
Biodynamically farmed Roussanne, Clairette, and Marsanne from rocky limestone in Van Gogh's Provence.

2020 Bandol Rouge “La Tourtine”
France | Provence
La Tourtine perhaps best expresses the paradoxical combination of power and elegance that is a trademark of the Domaine's wines.

2016 Bandol Rouge
France | Provence
Enjoy it as Jim Harrison might have—with copious quantities of crushed garlic and red meat.
About The Producer
Domaine du Gros ‘Noré
Former boxer and avid hunter Alain Pascal is a gentle giant, whose physique matches both his spirit and his wine. He farms sixteen hectares of vineyards on the rolling hillsides around La Cadière d’Azur in Bandol, the appellation regarded as the grand cru of Provence. The vineyards are composed of both clay and limestone, imparting a pronounced structure of earthy, splintered rock. This microclimate near the Mediterranean brings warm weather and full sun, tempered by the persistent Mistral. Alain leaves his grapes to mature fully on the vine, lending great intensity to the fruit. Where appellation law demands that each blend includes at least 50 percent Mourvèdre, Alain uses 80 percent—a choice that gives more power and concentration to the final assemblage. Do not be fooled by the strength and boldness of the Gros ’Noré Bandol, though; underneath a big exterior is a wine of character, depth, complexity, soul, and finesse.
About The Region
Provence
There is perhaps no region more closely aligned with the history of Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant than Provence. While Kermit began his career as a Burgundy specialist, he soon fell in love with Provence and its wines, notably the legendary Bandols of Domaine Tempier, which he began importing in 1977. He later began living in the area part-time, returning frequently between tasting trips, and today he spends most of his time at his home just outside of Bandol.
Provence is thought to be France’s most ancient wine region, established when Greek settlers landed in the modern-day port city of Marseille in the 6th century BC. The conditions here are ideal for cultivation of the grapevine, with a hot, dry climate and a prevalence of poor, rocky soils, primarily limestone-based, suitable for vines and not much else. The ever-present southern sunshine as well as the mistral, a cold, drying wind from the northwest that helps keep the vines free of disease, are crucial elements of Provençal terroir. Wild herbs from the pervasive scrubland, called garrigue, and cooling saline breezes from the Mediterranean also contribute to the quality and character of wines in all three colors.
Provence is well known for its rosés, but red wines have always held importance here. The very best, such as those from Bandol, possess great depth and a capacity for long-term aging. The white wines, notably those of Cassis, offer weight balanced by a maritime freshness, making them ideal pairings for the local seafood. Mourvèdre reigns king for red grapes, supported mainly by Grenache and Cinsault, while Clairette, Marsanne, Rolle, and Ugni Blanc are the region’s principal white grapes.
More from Provence or France
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Migoua”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros ’Noré France | Provence
2022 Bandol Rouge “La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2022 Alpilles Rouge “Cinsault”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2024 Cassis Blanc
Clos Sainte Magdeleine France | Provence
2024 Bandol Rosé
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2020 Alpilles Rouge “Amethyste”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2022 Alpilles Rouge “Grenache”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2021 Côtes de Provence Syrah “Les Planches de la Garedivole”
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2016 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros ’Noré France | Provence
2024 Les Baux de Provence Rosé “Petra”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2020 Bandol Rouge
“La Migoua”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros ’Noré France | Provence
2022 Bandol Rouge “La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2022 Alpilles Rouge “Cinsault”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2024 Cassis Blanc
Clos Sainte Magdeleine France | Provence
2024 Bandol Rosé
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2020 Alpilles Rouge “Amethyste”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2022 Alpilles Rouge “Grenache”
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
2021 Bandol Rouge
“La Tourtine”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2021 Côtes de Provence Syrah “Les Planches de la Garedivole”
Clos Saint-Joseph France | Provence
2016 Bandol Rouge
Domaine du Gros ’Noré France | Provence
2024 Les Baux de Provence Rosé “Petra”
Domaine Hauvette 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