Domaine du Dragon Cotes du Provence Rose 2000

High up in the hills of southern France, above the Côte d’Azur and the crowds at Cannes, you’ll find the cool, terraced vineyards of Domaine du Dragon. The estate’s curiously chalky soils and high-altitude perch translate into wines both refined and complex, and that still offer exceptional value for their peerless quality. While much of Provence is a patchwork of different terroirs, this corner near the town of Draguignan is unique in that it is nearly all limestone, more commonly found in places like Burgundy. Cooling winds whip through the forested valleys to moderate the southern sun, so grapes are not only perfectly ripe but also balanced. Yet Provence would not be Provence without rosé, and it’s here where Dragon sets itself apart from the pack of tourist-pleasing (and often overpriced) pinks. The area’s chalky soul and cool character is expressed clearly in Dragon’s lively blend.