Cassis sits with next door 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 farmed vines sit facing north-northwest on a gentle clay-limestone slope a mere 200 meters from the beach.
The blend is typically Grenache (55%), Mourvèdre (31%) and Cinsault (14%). This is a quite serious, quite polished rosé with a core of mineral and fresh acidity buttressing lantana, white pepper, wild strawberry and wintergreen aromatics and a sneakily rich texture that really blossoms as the wine warms.
This is not the textbook version of an easygoing quaffing rosé; rather, it shows best with a table filled with spring or summer delicacies or even richer fare. In Cassis, it’s the preferred partner to a whole grilled local 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 a juicy herb-rubbed pork loin with roasted fennel?
It’s quite cellarable, too. Very highly recommended!
** Hammocks, **** Arugulas on PRIMA’s Scientific Rosé Scale.
