Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2023

Winery Background and History

Château d’Esclans, located in Provence’s Côtes de Provence AOC, was revitalized by Sacha Lichine in 2005. Lichine’s vision helped trigger a rosé renaissance, transforming Whispering Angel into a global benchmark. Since 2019, LVMH holds majority ownership, expanding its reach while preserving its aspirational Provençal roots  .

Producer and Wine Maker

Whispering Angel is crafted under estate oversight, blending free-run and press juices from select plots. Grapes are manually sorted (optical sorting), cold-fermented in stainless steel with gentle lees-stirring to maintain bright fruit and finesse  .

Vineyards and Micro Climate

Fruit is sourced from premier vineyards around the Esclans Valley and nearby Côtes de Provence regions. Hot Mediterranean days and cool nights, combined with sandy, schist, and clay soils, yield pale, aromatic, and balanced fruit  .

Vinification & Aging Methods

Night-time harvest maintains freshness. Free-run juice is gently pressed, then fermented and aged in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with periodic lees stirring. No oak is used, preserving purity  .

Tasting Notes

Peachy-pink color. Aromas of red berries, watermelon, passion fruit, rose petal, and peach skin. The palate is dry, crisp, and fresh with chalky minerality and a smooth, balanced finish  .

Food & Wine Pairing

A versatile rosé that pairs perfectly with salads, green vegetables, seafood, sushi, shellfish, and light appetizers, thanks to its crispness and balanced structure ().

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve well chilled at 8–10 °C, in a tulip or medium-bodied rosé glass to preserve delicate aromatics and fine acidity. No decanting necessary ().

Storage and Aging Potential

Best enjoyed between 2023–2027. With proper cellaring (cool, dark, stable conditions), it can maintain tension and freshness through 2028 ().

Grape Varietals & percentage used

Primarily Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino), with possible small inclusion of Syrah and Mourvèdre  .

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

13.0–13.5 % ABV  .

Scores

• 92 – Natalie MacLean 

• 91 – James Suckling 

• 90 – Wine Spectator (“supple, friendly rosé, with a chalky mineral thread”)