Chateau d’Esclans was acquired by Sacha Lichine in 2006. Sacha had already worked in the wine industry, both as a Sommelier and in the vineyards of Prieure-Lichine and Lascombes.
He had one major goal in mind when setting out on his winemaking adventure, and that goal was to start what has come to be known as the “Rosé Renaissance,” the modern boom of delightfully drinkable pink wines which has been ignited worldwide.
Clement Malochet, the Director of Marketing for Chateau d’Esclans, once explained that when they set out to produce their wines, “The concept is to produce rosé to drink year-round, not just for summertime,” which explains the weight and seriousness present in each of their bottles.
They even go so far as to age some of their rosé wines in oak barrels, which is not a common practice for most producers.
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Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé Review
This wine is produced in the Provence region, down in the Southeastern part of France.
The region borders both Italy and the Mediterranean Sea and is arguably the best region in the world for the production of exceptional quality rosé.
The wine is produced from Grenache, Cinsault, and a lesser-known varietal called Rolle, which is better known as Vermentino, right next door in Italy.
Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé
- Brand: Chateau d’Esclans
- Country: France
- Region: Provence
- Wine Type: Rosé Wine
- Varietals: Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle
- ABV: 13%
Appearance
The wine is an incredibly light shade, an almost pale salmon color in the glass.
It features fairly prominent legs for a rosé but is still light and delicate in the glass.
Smell
The aromas on this bottle are quite plentiful. I get lots of wild strawberries, rose petals, and fresh, juicy watermelon.
The overall bouquet is incredibly fresh and reminds me of a warm summer day spent outside.
Taste
The flavors of this bottle are robust. Fuller and heavier for a traditional French rosé but still bone dry, with no noticeable sugar or tannin.
There is a mild amount of acidity, which causes the wine to come across as being pretty clean and zippy.
On the tongue, waves of underripe strawberries, freshly diced watermelon, and just a hint of wild cherries all mingle together to create a sensational sipper which lingers for quite some time on the tongue.
What Does Chateau D’Esclans Pair With?
As is the case with all high-quality wine from Provence, this bottle is exceptionally food-friendly and pairs with a wide variety of dishes.
Personally, I really enjoy this one with roasted veggie skewers, cured meats, and creamy cheeses such as brie.
The ample acidity of the wine really helps accentuate the creaminess of the brie.
You could also go with artichoke risotto, grilled fish, grilled lamb seasoned with herbs, and calamari for pairing if you are looking for something a bit on the heartier side of things.
What Are Wines That Are Similar to Chateau D’Esclansrosé?
I would recommend exploring other French options.
Olema is a personal favorite of mine. Owned and produced by an American winery that fell in love with old-school French rosé, the juice is all grown and produced right in Provence.
It is clean, easy-drinking, and has a very similar flavor profile to Whispering Angel.
I would also recommend trying rosé options from the Rhone valley in France.
These wines tend to boast a blend of traditional Rhone varietals, including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, among several others.
These wines also tend to boast a bit of a heavier fruit profile when compared to Provence but are still typically dry and easy to drink.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I would say that I am a fan. This wine has gathered itself a pretty impressive following and claims to be the best-selling rosé worldwide.
While I am not certain if that is true, I can definitely see why the brand has seen so much success.