Cassis sits with Bandol on one side of Marseilles on the Mediterranean coast but its production is a mere fraction of their much-better known neighbor. And, what, say, Domaine Tempier, is to Bandol is what

Domaine du Bagnol is to Cassis- the appellation’s benchmark for both quality and prestige. At Bagnol, only seven hectares of organically-famed vines sit facing north-northwest on a gentle clay-limestone slope a mere 200 meters from the beach. The blend is typically Grenache (55%), Mourvedre (31%) and Cinsault (14%). This is a quite serious, quite polished Rose with a core of mineral and fresh acidity buttressing lantana, white pepper, wild strawberry and wintergreen aromatics and a sneaky rich texture that really blossoms as the wine warms. This is not the easy-going quaffing Rose, rather it shows best with a table filled with spring or summer specialties. In Cassis, it’s the preferred partner to a whole local grilled fish stuffed with herbs and I bet that would work on this side of the pond too! How about a warm goat cheese salad? Or, maybe, it would be the perfect wine for Thanksgiving this fall- or next. It’s very cellarable. And let me put in a good word for the magnums. Think a magnum of Rose is too much? Trust me. It ain’t. It’s just right! Very highly recommended.

** Hammocks, **** Arugulas on PRIMA’s scientific Rose scale.