WTN: Ch. d'Esclans 2009 "Whispering Angel" Rose

Picked this up at the market around the corner. It's listed at 13.5% alcohol, hails from the Cotes de Provence, and cost me $20. According to the website, it's a blend of Grenache (73%), Rolle (4%), Cinsault (9%), Syrah (8.5%) and Mourvedre (5.5%). The guy who runs the wine program at the market said that be brings it in primarily for one customer who really loves it.

The thing that initially sold me on this wine was its color. It's not really pink so much as pale greyish-orange-pink. Light aroma that's hard to pin down. There's fruit there but it's a little more deep than the typical strawberry-ish rose smell. In the mouth, it's delicious. Strikes a really good balance between the crisp, minerally acidity and that elusive fruit component. Stays just full enough in the mid-palate and then finishes chalky-dry. Made a good match for a piece of swordfish that had given a very spicy dry rub and then pan seared.

This is good stuff, and it's a touch more serious than a lot of other roses. It's a touch pricier as well. You might want to go for something cheaper for sitting around the pool on a warm day but if you're looking for something to match with food, this works.

Glad you liked it. I like the 2009 and the 2010's are also quite good. While this is the lowest end of the D'esclan range, frankly, its the only one that I'd buy. I like the subtlety of the wine but it has a sufficient backbone and minerality to it. Pale and fragile in colour, yet holds up to a decent lunch. I might pop for the regular D'esclan but certainly not the higher two (Garrus, etc,...). Frankly I think it give Domaine Ott a bit of a run but Domaine Tempier remains my fav rose.

Chateau des Annibals '10 Coteaux Varios en Provence is an example of an excellent small production rose' if you can find it. On my trip there last fall we had dinner with this producer and one other. They are extremely passionate and professional. Somehow a little of this showed up in Columbia, SC and I was amazed at the quality and the fact that we found it here. It is one to look for if it pops up in your town. Gold elephant embosses the label with the fetching name of "Suives-moi-jeune-homme" which translates as "follow me young man", quite appropriate for a "come-hither" rose'.

Michael - I agree that while good, the Whispering Angel doesn't hit Tempier heights.

Richard - Thanks for the recommendation - I'll keep an eye out for that.

It's the project that Sasha Lichine started after selling Prieure Lichine in Bordeaux. Toungue-in-cheek explanation is that he makes the $65 & $80 single vineyard bottlings for the yacht set up and down the coast there. Maybe not so tongue-in-cheek; he's got a pricey lifestyle to support!

I tasted the Esclans range last autumn. I liked the cheapest, Whispering Angel, best and found the wood and the price of the top two equally off-putting. I wonder if Sacha Lichine does not have his tongue in his cheek. Here are the TNS -

Château d’Esclans & Domaines Sacha Lichine, La Motte, Provence

I have read such a lot about these super-charged rosés that I couldn’t resist a stop at this table. All the wines below are appellation Côtes de Provence rosé.
Whispering Angel 2009 (€14), from five grape varieties vinified and raised in inox tanks, was pretty and moreish with lively acidity, soft feel on entry and mid-palate with grip at the finish; 15.5/20.
Esclans 2008 (€20), from Grenache and Rolle and raised partly in barriques, showed more generosity and structure; 15.5/20.
Les Clans 2008 (€50!!), also from Grenache and Rolle and raised 100% in barriques, showed exotic fruit (some pineapple) and a caressing feel with also vanilla notes from the wood; hardly 15/20 for me now but it may develop into something.
Garus 2008 (€80!!!), from old Grenache vines and raised 100% in barriques, showed more density and a lot of structure with again exotic fruit and wood aromas and tactile sensation; hardly 15/20 now with more confidence in + development.

I might just consider buying a bottle or two of Whispering Angel or Esclans for further experiment at home.

Wine Speculator gave Sacha's wines pretty good scores in recent issue,ranging for 88 for 2010 Angel to 90 for both 2009 Garrus and 2009 Les Clans and another 88 for 2009(just plain?) Rose, prices ranged from $20 for Angel to ugh, $90 for Garrus

Wine Speculator gave Sacha's wines pretty good scores in recent issue,ranging for 88 for 2010 Angel to 90 for both 2009 Garrus and 2009 Les Clans and another 88 for 2009(just plain?) Rose, prices ranged from $20 for Angel to ugh, $90 for Garrus

I'm not surprised that Speculator likes them. It comforts me in my own opinion .