Bath coach Steve Meehan hailed an "outstanding win" after watching his side sink neighbours Bristol 28-13 at the Recreation Ground.
South Africa's World Cup-winning fly-half Butch James enjoyed an impressive league debut as tries went to Andrew Higgins, Michael Lipman and Matthew Banahan with Olly Barkley kicking 13 points.
Bath came straight out of the blocks to race into a 17-0 lead and never looked like surrendering it.
Bristol were the last team to win at Bath and a delighted Meehan said: "Even at the start of the season we had ear-marked this game. We spoke about Bristol more this week than we have in the build-up to any other match.
"After seven matches now we have probably exceeded expectations," claimed Meehan, whose side are tucked in behind the leaders Gloucester, who also have six wins from seven games.
"If we keep our feet on the ground, if we believe in ourselves, results will continue to come our way.
"If you compare us with where we were this time last year we've come on in leaps and bounds."
For Bristol's Richard Hill it was a less than enjoyable experience but he was making no excuses.
The former Bath and England scrum half said: "We lost the game in the first 20 minutes when we went 17-0 down. We fought bravely but once Bath got their tales up it was going to be very difficult.
"They are a very good side and perhaps should have scored more."
Hill added: "With David Lemi's try there was just a chance we might get back into it but they upped the pace again."
Defeat came just six days after Bristol's victory over Stade Francais and Hill is realistic about Bristol's prospects of Guinness Premiership success this season with the added demand of Heineken Cup competition.
He said: "We are not necessarily expecting to be in the top four this year. We've got virtually the same squad but it was a conscious decision that our money would be spent on funding our fantastic new training facilities which cost some £700,000.
"Next year perhaps we will have resources to build the squad again. We've got to do that if they club is to move on."
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