Viniou Reviews
Whispering Angel 2023 from Château d’Esclans is a celebrated rosé wine hailing from the iconic Côtes-de-Provence appellation in the south of France. Crafted primarily from local grape varieties such as Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (known elsewhere as Vermentino), this cuvée embodies the quintessential Provençal style: pale, luminous pink with delicate nuances. The 2023 vintage reflects a year characterized by a warm and sunlit growing season moderated by coastal influences, allowing for the optimal ripening of grapes while preserving freshness. The winemaking at Château d’Esclans emphasizes gentle pressing and temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, ensuring a crisp, vibrant profile with no influence from oak.
Provence is internationally revered as the birthplace of dry, elegant rosé. Its Mediterranean climate, marked by abundant sunshine, mistral winds, and modest rainfall, supports healthy, slow grape maturation and fosters aromatic complexity. The soils in the region, a mosaic of limestone, clay, and schist, contribute a hallmark minerality and finesse to the wines. Winemaking in Provence boasts a time-honored pedigree dating back over two millennia, with rosé now accounting for the vast majority of production, maintaining its status as a benchmark for quality.
With its fresh red berry and citrus aromas, subtle floral notes, and invigorating acidity, Whispering Angel 2023 is a versatile partner at the table. It pairs beautifully with classic Provençal cuisine, such as a fragrant salade niçoise, grilled sea bass with herbes de Provence, or even a vegetable tian. Its lively character also complements Mediterranean seafood, sushi, light pasta dishes like linguine with clams, and charcuterie boards featuring mild cheeses and cured meats.
For the ideal tasting experience, serve this rosé slightly chilled, between 8 and 10°C. Enjoy it young to appreciate its finesse and pure fruit expression, ideally within two years of its vintage to capture its freshness and vibrancy fully.
