Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Best 8 to 30 years from vintage.

vintage8 yrs30 yrs32 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: blueberry, violet, myrtle, cocoa nib

Palate: black cherry, graphite, blood orange, savoury herb

Mourvedre-dominant Bandol from the estate's high amphitheatre terraces at La Cadiere. Cooler-altitude expression with violet, blueberry and cocoa, set against a firm graphite backbone that ages for two decades.

What it pairs with

  • Slow-cooked lamb shoulder Pibarnon's blueberry and cocoa lift balance lamb's fat; firm tannins handle the long-cooked meat.More wines for lamb →
  • Duck breast with juniper The wine's myrtle and graphite notes echo the gamey-juniper register of seared duck.More wines for duck breast →
  • Hard pecorino with truffle honey Cocoa and dark-fruit depth pair with aged sheep's-milk salt; the truffle adds umami the wine welcomes.More wines for truffles →
  • Wild boar stew with chestnut Pibarnon's savoury herb register matches Provencal game stew; the wine's structure carries the long braise.More wines for wild boar →

History

Count Henri de Saint Victor bought the estate in 1977 and replanted the high amphitheatre terraces at 300 metres altitude. The 1978 vintage marked the first bottling under his ownership; the cuvee re-established the high-altitude expression of Bandol.

  1. 1977Saint Victor family acquires the estate, beginning replanting
  2. 1978First Pibarnon Rouge under family ownership
  3. 201840th anniversary vintage, marked by retrospective tastings in trade press

Facts

Producer
Chateau de Pibarnon · visiting guide
Grapes
Mourvedre (90%), Cinsault
Classification
AOC Bandol
Oak
18 to 20 months in large old oak foudres, no new oak
ABV
14.0%
Price
EUR 55 to 85 at retail
Drinking window
8-30 from vintage
First vintage
1978
Vegan
Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol Rouge

What does Pibarnon Rouge taste like?

Blueberry, violet, myrtle and cocoa nib on the nose; black cherry, graphite, blood orange and savoury herb on the palate. Full-bodied with firm tannins, high acidity and a long savoury finish.

When should I drink Pibarnon Rouge?

Drink between 8 and 30 years from vintage. The high-altitude amphitheatre site gives a slightly more refined tannin frame than valley-floor Bandol, so the wine often shows well from year 8 to 10.

Is Pibarnon Rouge vegan?

Yes. Pibarnon does not use animal-derived fining agents on its reds, though the estate does not pursue formal vegan certification.

What food pairs with Pibarnon Rouge?

Slow-cooked lamb shoulder is the canonical pairing; Pibarnon's blueberry and cocoa balance the fat. Duck breast with juniper, aged pecorino and wild boar stew are equally strong matches.

What makes Pibarnon distinctive within Bandol?

The estate's vineyards sit at around 300 metres altitude on south-facing limestone terraces above La Cadiere d'Azur, the highest in AOC Bandol. The elevation gives a cooler-climate Mourvedre with more aromatic lift than valley-floor sites.

Tags

cellar worthy cinsault dry firm tannin full body high acid iconic mood contemplative mood elegant mood savoury mourvedre occasion cellar occasion dinner party occasion special old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat price premium still red vegan

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