Whispering Angel 2023 from Château Esclans is a benchmark rosé from the prestigious Côtes-de-Provence AOC. Made predominantly from Grenache, Cinsault, and Vermentino, this wine exemplifies the classic Provençal style with its delicate pale salmon colour and bright, refreshing character. The 2023 vintage benefitted from the Mediterranean climate, lending grapes that are ripe yet wonderfully balanced by vivacious acidity. The winemaking process involves gentle pressing and cool fermentation in stainless steel to preserve the purity of the fruit, resulting in a dry and elegant rosé with notes of fresh red berries, melon, citrus, and a hint of floral aromatics.
The Provence region in southern France is renowned as the spiritual home of rosé wines. Its sun-soaked, rolling landscapes are composed of limestone, clay, and schist soils, providing an ideal terroir for growing Grenache and its blending partners. The Mediterranean Sea tempers the climate, bringing cool breezes that help maintain freshness in the grapes and facilitate slow, even ripening. With a viticultural history stretching back thousands of years, Provence has refined the art of rosé, producing wines renowned for their finesse, subtlety, and gastronomic versatility.
Whispering Angel serves as an impeccable partner to a wide range of dishes thanks to its lively acidity and restrained fruit profile. It shines alongside Provençal classics such as salade niçoise, grilled sea bass with herbes de Provence, or ratatouille. Lighter Asian dishes like sushi or prawn spring rolls also pair beautifully, while crisp, herbaceous salads and fresh goat’s cheese are boosted by the wine’s zesty character. For a relaxed gathering, enjoy it with simple olives and tapenade, bringing a true taste of the Mediterranean to the table.
For optimal enjoyment, serve Whispering Angel well-chilled, at a temperature of 8-10°C. This will accentuate its refreshing qualities and maintain the vibrancy of the flavours. Enjoy now for its youthful exuberance, ideally within a year or two of the vintage for peak freshness.
