France - All Rosé Wines
France holds a special place in the world of rosé wines. The country's dedication to craftsmanship and terroir-driven winemaking has resulted in the creation of exceptional rosé wines that continue to captivate enthusiasts around the globe. Today, let us embark on a journey through the best rosé wines that France has to offer, exploring the renowned vineyards and the diverse regions that give birth to these exquisite pink elixirs.
In Provence, the birthplace of French rosé, vineyards such as Château d'Esclans, Domaines Ott, and Château Miraval craft some of the most sought-after rosé wines in the world. These vineyards are revered for their commitment to quality and their ability to capture the essence of Provence in each bottle. Provence rosés are known for their pale pink color, delicate aromas, and refreshing flavors of red fruits, citrus, and herbs.
Moving to the Rhône Valley, the region of Tavel shines as the home of exceptional rosé wines. Domaine de la Mordorée, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne, and Château d'Aquéria are among the renowned vineyards that produce rich and expressive Tavel rosés. These wines exhibit a deeper color and a more robust structure, showcasing flavors of ripe berries, floral notes, and a touch of spice.
In the Loire Valley, the vineyards of Sancerre and Anjou offer distinctive expressions of rosé. Domaine Vacheron and Domaine Guiberteau are known for their vibrant and mineral-driven Sancerre rosés, while Château de Brézé and Domaine des Roches Neuves produce elegant and complex Anjou rosés.
The region of Bandol in Provence is synonymous with powerful and age-worthy rosé wines. Domaine Tempier, Château Pibarnon, and Domaine de la Tour du Bon are celebrated for their structured and deeply flavored Bandol rosés, characterized by their depth, intensity, and ability to age gracefully.
France's rosé wines are celebrated for their versatility and ability to complement a wide range of cuisines. From fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes to summer salads and light appetizers, these wines offer a harmonious marriage of flavors that enhance any culinary experience.
France - All Rosé Wines
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Provence | 9 | - |
Inc. TAX
€126.58 |
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Champagne | 2 | 93 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€559.73 |
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James Suckling (93)Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now. |
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Provence | 2 | 18.5 (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€148.18 |
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Matthew Jukes (18.5)The question I am most asked every year is, “Is Whispering Angel any good?”. My answer has never changed. Yes, of course, this wine is a triumph. It is made to exacting standards, and while there is more competition these days than ever, Whispering Angel and its Esclans portfolio pals still sit atop the pile. And while some think that you can save a few quid elsewhere, and they might be right, nothing comes close to Rock Angel. Instead of defending Whispering Angel’s honour, I prefer to advise curious rosé fiends to spend a fiver more and drink Rock. Rock is not a turbo-charged version of Whispering, although that is the line most people peddle. They say this because it sees some oak, making it seem like a Whispering+. But to me, Rock Angel is more clearly related to the Estate range of wines – those that come from the Chateau d’Esclans itself. All these wines (Chateau d’Esclans, Les Clans and Garrus) are made using oak, and their fruit is of the highest quality; hence, pricing ranges from £40-£140. Rock Angel swings in under £25 if you search hard enough, and I believe it is the finest value, ‘grand-tasting’ rosé around. It has a stunning volume of fruit, seamless, indulgent and impressively long. |
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Champagne | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€5,972.93 |
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James Suckling (99)A mind-blowing wine. This is super subtle and intense with aromas of peaches, light strawberry and cream. Also shows rose petal and cooked peaches. Medium to full body, with ultra-fine tannins that feel like fine silk. The finish goes on for mintutes. It floats across the palate. The winemaker says the closet vintage to this is the 1990, but I think this is better. |
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Champagne | 1 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. TAX
€3,584.93 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Really quite a deep orangey colour. Real evolution on the Pinot-dominated nose. Flattering breadth with a relatively low acid impression. Firm structure. Very long. |
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Champagne | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€5,348.93 |
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Vinous (97)The 2007 Cristal Rosé opens with the most captivating, extraordinary bouquet imaginable. Sweet, exquisite and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2007 is intense yet weightless, with extraordinary overall balance and remarkable finesse. Today, the 2007 Cristal Rosé is a wine of pure seduction. There is little doubt the 2007 is a great Cristal Rosé in the making. This is the first vintage in which all of the fruit was farmed according to biodynamic principles. According to winemaker Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, biodynamic farming has brought increased aromatic presence in the fruit and also given the Pinot a bit more intensity than normal, so much so that in 2007 the blend is 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay as opposed to the 60/40 split that has been more typical over the years. In 2007, the fruit was picked in August, which is also unusual, but bud break got off to an early start, so the growing season turned out to be longer than the classic 100-day period that is typical from bud-break to harvest. All of that means the 2007 Cristal Rosé is a much more classic-feeling wine that one might have expected. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Provence | 9 | - |
In Bond
€93.00 |
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|
|
Champagne | 2 | 93 (JS) |
In Bond
€454.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (93)Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now. |
|||||||||
|
|
Provence | 2 | 18.5 (MJ) |
In Bond
€111.00 |
|||||
Matthew Jukes (18.5)The question I am most asked every year is, “Is Whispering Angel any good?”. My answer has never changed. Yes, of course, this wine is a triumph. It is made to exacting standards, and while there is more competition these days than ever, Whispering Angel and its Esclans portfolio pals still sit atop the pile. And while some think that you can save a few quid elsewhere, and they might be right, nothing comes close to Rock Angel. Instead of defending Whispering Angel’s honour, I prefer to advise curious rosé fiends to spend a fiver more and drink Rock. Rock is not a turbo-charged version of Whispering, although that is the line most people peddle. They say this because it sees some oak, making it seem like a Whispering+. But to me, Rock Angel is more clearly related to the Estate range of wines – those that come from the Chateau d’Esclans itself. All these wines (Chateau d’Esclans, Les Clans and Garrus) are made using oak, and their fruit is of the highest quality; hence, pricing ranges from £40-£140. Rock Angel swings in under £25 if you search hard enough, and I believe it is the finest value, ‘grand-tasting’ rosé around. It has a stunning volume of fruit, seamless, indulgent and impressively long. |
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|
|
Champagne | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€4,965.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)A mind-blowing wine. This is super subtle and intense with aromas of peaches, light strawberry and cream. Also shows rose petal and cooked peaches. Medium to full body, with ultra-fine tannins that feel like fine silk. The finish goes on for mintutes. It floats across the palate. The winemaker says the closet vintage to this is the 1990, but I think this is better. |
|||||||||
|
|
Champagne | 1 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
€2,975.00 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Really quite a deep orangey colour. Real evolution on the Pinot-dominated nose. Flattering breadth with a relatively low acid impression. Firm structure. Very long. |
|||||||||
|
|
Champagne | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
€4,445.00 |
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Vinous (97)The 2007 Cristal Rosé opens with the most captivating, extraordinary bouquet imaginable. Sweet, exquisite and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2007 is intense yet weightless, with extraordinary overall balance and remarkable finesse. Today, the 2007 Cristal Rosé is a wine of pure seduction. There is little doubt the 2007 is a great Cristal Rosé in the making. This is the first vintage in which all of the fruit was farmed according to biodynamic principles. According to winemaker Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, biodynamic farming has brought increased aromatic presence in the fruit and also given the Pinot a bit more intensity than normal, so much so that in 2007 the blend is 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay as opposed to the 60/40 split that has been more typical over the years. In 2007, the fruit was picked in August, which is also unusual, but bud break got off to an early start, so the growing season turned out to be longer than the classic 100-day period that is typical from bud-break to harvest. All of that means the 2007 Cristal Rosé is a much more classic-feeling wine that one might have expected. |
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