Jean-Pierre and Julia Gaussen started their domaine in the Bandol appellation of Provence in the early 1960s. Their daughter Mireille is now an active member in the family winery. They farm 12 hectares without herbicides or pesticides. 'Longue Garde' (wine for “long keeping”) is 95% mourvèdre and 5% grenache, aged for 18 months in large, old barrels. Bandol Rouge is a famously age-worthy wine, and it’s not often that we get to offer an 11-year-old example for your immediate drinking pleasure. This is old-school Bandol, with dark fruits, signature notes of licorice, and minerality. Just 13.5% alcohol. Drink it with grilled and smoked foods, whether meat or vegetables (smoked eggplant is especially good). A fun and regionally-appropriate pairing is pissaladière, the caramelized onion, olive, and anchovy pizza from southeast France and Liguria. [NY Times recipe here.]
