The terroir
Pibarnon, an exceptional terroir
Pibarnon
A Unique and
Theatrical Terroir
The secret of Pibarnon wines lies in the complex alchemy of its terroir: a unique Triassic limestone soil, born out of a geological particularity with the perfect regulation of water in the vineyard. And, of course, a genius grape variety, Mourvèdre, and an altitude, more than 300 metres from sea level, in complete harmony with an ideal micro-climate. Great wines are always born on great terroirs…
A Micro-climate
The Pibarnon terroir benefits from an extraordinary thermal regulation and never suffers from drought, even in the worst heat waves, such as in 1989 and 2003. This is due to several phenomena that are only encountered on the greatest terroirs. Starting with the altitude, which is one of the highest in the Bandol appellation. Located 300 metres above Mediterranean sea level, the Pibarnon terroir benefits from cool nights during the summer which enhance the gradual ripening of the grapes, alternating with beautiful sunny days. The proximity to the sea cools the grapes by preventing them from accumulating heat. At this altitude, the vineyard is also protected from the morning mists rising from the bottom of the valley. We can therefore wait for the ripening of the grape bunches without fear of them rotting. The vines, planted in terraces, face the south-east. Combined with the altitude, this is the best exposure to promote slow ripening of the grapes, which will give all their aromatic complexity to the wines of Pibarnon.
Water: Source of Life
The other genius of the Pibarnon terroir lies in its incredible ability to retain water, which prevents the vines from suffering from drought. The hydric stress of the vine, linked to the lack of water and to the heat, is in fact the worst enemy of the grapes since it blocks their maturity. In Pibarnon, the ‘restanques’: the giant staircases shaping the hill with steep sides, prevent the erosion of the vineyard during heavy winter rains whilst also absorbing this rainwater into the limestone soils. Playing the role of actual sponges, the very active limestone soils of the Trias de Pibarnon will thus gradually supply the vineyard with water throughout the dry and hot months of summer.
The King of Grapes: Mourvèdre
A fiery grape covered with a very thick skin, Mourvèdre has found its favorite terroir in Bandol. Three thousand hours of sunshine per year are perfect for this slow-ripening grape, with its superior bearing and tendrils standing proudly towards the sky. Unlike in other French vineyards where it usually ripens very poorly, in Bandol wines, it brings harmony, elegance, and a formidable capacity for aging. A very late-ripening tannic grape, difficult in nature, Mourvèdre, it is said, "needs to have its feet in water and its head in the sun" to reach complete maturity.’
The Mourvèdre must spend 18 months aging in oak barrels. An essential stay to allow it to soften its tannic and impetuous temperament. It will then have to wait five to six years for its elegant constitution to come to life fully, with its undergrowth nose, its noble character and aromas of black fruits, peony, spices and truffle.
A very late-ripening tannic grape, difficult in nature, Mourvèdre, it is said, "needs to have its feet in water and its head in the sun" to reach complete maturity.
The Pibarnon terroir dotes on its darling child, providing ideal conditions for its development. Mourvèdre makes up more than 80% of the Domaine’s total planting.
The active limestone soil of Pibarnon restores itself during the summer, the water accumulated during the winter rains means that it has its feet in water, while the vines planted at 300 metres always have their head in the sun. As proof, as the journalist and oenologist, Pierre Casamayor wrote: "The Pibarnon Mourvèdre - this Latin macho dresses in silk and kisses hands. Capable of singing elsewhere in wicked diatribes or even deaf dialogues, this grape holds court here: intelligent and cultivated, the expression of a unique terroir."
A singular geology
Masterfully displayed in a natural amphitheater, the terroir of Pibarnon constitutes a geological originality, with soils that are very different from the rest of the Bandol appellation. The anachronistic soil of the Triassic is in fact 150 million years older than the other local formations, having emerged in the Quaternary period, during the folding of the Alps. Without this upheaval, the hill of Pibarnon would have been 500 metres deep under. The geological particularity of a very calcareous soil, rich in microfossils, explains the aromatic finesse and elegance of the wines of Pibarnon and that alone would justify why the Domaine is classified as enclosed or climat. Another major feature of the Pibarnon terroir is the presence of blue Santonian marls in the subsoil. These blue marls, rich in trace elements, are found on great terroirs, such as Château Yquem, in Sauternes or Château Pétrus, in Pomerol and they are always at the origin of great wines with rare elegance and subtle aromas.
14TH FEBRUARY 2014
