Viniou Reviews
Whispering Angel 2024 from Château d'Esclans is a benchmark rosé from the Côtes-de-Provence AOC, encapsulating the elegance and brightness typical of the region. This wine is crafted from a blend of traditional Provençal grape varieties, often including Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino), Syrah and Tibouren. The harvest for 2024 benefits from careful selection, with vinification conducted in stainless steel to preserve the wine’s aromatic delicacy and freshness. The result is a pale, lightly salmon-tinted rosé offering expressive notes of red berries, citrus, white peach and a subtle floral character, all underpinned by remarkable minerality and finesse.
Provence, nestled along the Mediterranean coast in southern France, boasts a winemaking tradition dating back over 2,600 years, making it one of the oldest wine regions in France. The region’s warm Mediterranean climate ensures sunny days and cool nights, perfect conditions for ripening grapes while maintaining vibrant acidity. The soils are predominantly limestone and schist, lending the wines both delicacy and a distinct mineral profile. As the birthplace of French rosé, Provence—and particularly the Côtes-de-Provence appellation—has become synonymous with this light, dry and refreshing style, prized internationally for its versatility and poise.
This rosé is particularly versatile at the table. It pairs beautifully with Provençal fare such as grilled courgettes, tapenade, ratatouille or a classic salade niçoise. It is excellent with seafood—think grilled prawns, octopus or bouillabaisse—and equally adept alongside herb-roasted poultry or a platter of fresh goat’s cheese and summer vegetables. For a contemporary touch, try it with sushi, ceviche or light Asian fusion dishes.
For optimal enjoyment, serve Whispering Angel well chilled, ideally between 8-10°C. This temperature accentuates the wine’s crispness and highlights its aromatic precision. A universal, convivial rosé to be shared as an aperitif or throughout a refined meal, best enjoyed in its exuberant youth within two years of the vintage.
