Most Anticipated Rose of the Year: Chateau D' Escalans Whispering Angel

This is the Most Anticipated Rose of the Year. Renowned Bordeaux figure Sacha Lichine and former Mouton Rothschild and Opus One wine maker Patrick Leon are taking Rose to the Next Level. This is the hottest Rose on the Market Right now. Some say this is a much better Rose than Domaines Ott Chateau De Selle and at half the price.

We have a Special Price of $16.95. This is a Steal for One of the Best Roses in the World.

Chateau D'Esclans is found nestled in the depths of Provence about half an hour north of St Tropez.

Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel is the first rose wine from the estate.The wine itself is a beautiful light rose wine, made from a blend of a variety of different grapes. These grapes are picked from the ripest vines on the estate in the morning by hand and are put into small creates to reduce the chances of oxidation. The grapes are sorted both electronically and manually several times to make sure only the best grapes go into the wine.

This Rose comes Highly recommended highly by the Wine Critics as Jancis Robinson called it "the best pink wine to have come my way". 

And Wine Spectator raving about Whispering Angle calling it "a perfect piece (to) a flawless party".  And describing it as a striking pale colour with a light, elegant aroma and a fruity fresh taste. Creamy and elegant, with fresh with fresh raspberry and glazed citrus flavors, followed by a lively and well-spiced finish. 

Careful measures give the Whispering Angel a delicate feel. Using these wine making methods also give the Whispering Angel its striking pale colour and fresh, fruity taste. It is the perfect wine, for simply drinking on its own or with lightly grilled or barbequed steaks, fish or salad.

The Chateau is owned by Mr. Sacha Lichine, the son of late, great Alexis Lichine, a very influential figure in Bordeaux.  At one point his family owned the 2nd Growth Chateau Lascombes and 4th Growth Chateau Prieure-Lichine. After years of searching to make his mark, Sacha Lichine has set his sights on producing the Best Rosé in the World.”

And to help him is Patrick Leon who has unparalleled experience in making some of the great wines of the world.  In 1972, Patrick would join Alexis Lichine & Company in Bordeaux beginning as a purchasing manager for its French wines. Additionally he held positions as a Technical Manager & General Manager of Chateau Lascombes in Margaux.  He also worked with Alexis Lichine on developing content for his books. 

These positions went through the mid eighties at which point Patrick would work with Baron phillipe de Rothchild for nearly 20 years.  Patrick would serve as a Managing Director, overseeing technical departments including the company’s vineyards and winemaking duties and facilities for Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, d’Armaillhac, Clerc Milon, le Petit Mouton, Aile d’Argent, Opus One in  California, Almaviva in Chile, Domaine de Lambert & Barn’ Arques in the Languedoc, Mouton-Cadet in Bordeaux.  Patrick’s wide breadth of experience and knowledge has established the foundation to becoming a consulting oenologist and has been instrumental in overseing the winemaking for Chateau d’Esclans while working with Sacha Lichine.

Chateau d’Esclans' is located on an exceptional site, on elevated land near the Gorges de Pennafort, twenty kilometers northwest of the ancient Roman city of Frejus on the Mediterranean coast. The first traces of the chateau's site date back to Gaullist times during which its location served as a lookout point to spot intruders coming by boat into the Gulf of Frejus. The surrounding land around Chateau d’Esclans is known as La Vallee des Esclans (the valley of the clans). At one point the entire area was part of the chateau’s property and over time was gradually parceled out.

The current chateau is inspired by a Tuscan Villa and was built during the 19th century. Its first known proprietors after the deVilleneuves were two brothers, Sauver Louis Ranque and Francois Alexandre Ranque. In January of 1875, the Ranque brothers sold Chateau d’Esclans, then known as Terre d’Esclans, to the inventor of the French Wooden Match, Joseph Toussaint Caussemille whose family owned Chateau d’Esclans until 1955. 

Everything is done with quality as the overriding focus. Sacha is very proud to say he takes the same care and attention of his grapes as any of the top Bordeaux chateaux do of theirs, and no expense is spared to ensure every vintages reaches its potential in the bottle. The wines themselves are made by Patrick Leon, who makes these wines with the utmost care just like he did at Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Opus One.

Chateau d'Esclans has said that it's goal is to 'reinvigorate' the way rose wine is produced, presented and consumed. They are not looking to make a good rose wine they are looking to make a great wine period. 

Chateau D' Esclans Whispering Angel 2011
73% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 8.5% Syrah, 5.5% Mourvedre, Rolle 4%
The nose is quite intense and very classy with layers of light red cherry, strawberry and cranberry.  These red fruits follow through onto the palate, backed up by nice fresh acidity and a clean mineral edge.  It's a lovely smooth, long finish and everything about this wine screams quality.  It's got complexity, balance and freshness.  

Pale salmon in colour, this is delicate and fresh with plenty of crisp strawberry fruit and a long finish. The new benchmark for Provence rose.