2021 Clos Ste Magdeleine Cassis Rose, Provence

Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rosé is one of Provence’s great rosé originals, coming from a tiny, dramatic appellation tucked between limestone cliffs and the Mediterranean just east of Marseille. Cassis is a world away from the vast rosé landscapes of Côtes de Provence. It is intimate, maritime and fiercely site driven, with vineyards plunging toward the sea and cooled constantly by salty breezes.

Clos Sainte Magdeleine is a historic family estate founded in 1923, now run by the Sack family, who have become synonymous with Cassis itself. The vineyards sit on steep, terraced limestone soils, some of the closest vines to the sea anywhere in France. This proximity to the water defines the style. Wines here are fresh, savoury and unmistakably Mediterranean, with a natural salinity that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

The rosé is typically based on Grenache and Cinsault, sometimes with a small contribution from Mourvèdre depending on the year. In the glass it is pale and luminous, with aromas of wild strawberry, pink grapefruit and citrus peel, layered with dried herbs, white flowers and a gentle sea spray note. The palate is dry, crisp and beautifully structured, with bright acidity, subtle texture and a long, saline finish that feels both refreshing and serious.

This is a rosé made for the table rather than the poolside. It shines with grilled fish, seafood, bouillabaisse, shellfish and Provençal dishes, where its savoury edge and minerality really come into play. It also handles richer Mediterranean flavours far better than many lighter rosés.

While best enjoyed young for its freshness and lift, Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rosé can age surprisingly well for a few years, gaining extra texture and savoury complexity while retaining its maritime character.

Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rosé is a reminder of what rosé can be when terroir leads the conversation. Saline, structured and utterly distinctive, it is one of Provence’s most characterful and food focused pink wines.