To accompany my recent Provençal vision of the future article, here follows a collection of tasting notes on that region's major output, rosé.
The most notable wine, however, is also the odd one out: a first ever (I think) taste of Ch d'Esclan's inaugural white wine from Sasha Lichine and consultant Patrick Léon (ex Mouton), an oak-aged Rolle, the local synonym for Vermentino. It shares all the craft and quality of their famed rosés, on which Jancis reported in Pink wine can be fine wine.
The notes are presented in alphabetical order by producer (sur)name.
WHITE
To be released 2011. Pineapples, vanilla, loads of opulence and...
ROSÉ
Peach colour, charming smoke aromas with a red fruit and a light...
Quite straightforward, ripe strawberry fruit, stones and...
Light, simple red fruits, strawberry and cherry. Primary...
Oranges, some citrus, pale and gentle but with a good, delicate...
Iodine, medicinal, unusual metallic character. Esoteric, in a...
Red cherries, light body, refreshing and balanced. Very subtle...
Gentle flavours but impressive persistence, delicate but...
Organic. 50% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah. Raspberry juice...
Citrus, floral, smooth and creamy with appealing texture and a...
Pure cherry, some bitter nut character, delicate but round...
Focused red fruit and elegant stone aromas. Dry, textured and...
Fine strawberry flavour, full concentration, viscous and almost...
Candied fruits, strawberry, simple, dry but ripe. Fresh...
6,000 bottles. Genuine complexity: raspberry, cherry plus a...
Fresh, light raspberries on the nose with rather more force and...
Apples, strawberry candy, a bit of oxidative character creeping...
Gentle, red fruits, subtle. Some bitter citrus character gives...
Cabernet and Syrah. Ripe strawberries, tickly acidity, creamy...
Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Apricot and...
Saignée method. Some bronzing to the colour. Plenty of wood on...
Ripe, cherry candy, lots of concentration and a syrupy tone...
Elegant rose floral character, pretty rich and lengthy, with a...
Subtle, nuanced red fruits with a fresh floral tone. Ripe...
Subtle, closed, elegant mineral scent with a creamy character on...
Oranges, citrus, stones, slightly leafy bitterness. Dry, basic...
Dry, light, delicate, a little non-committal, flavour-wise...
Vanilla, cream, light red fruits, a bit of creamy citrus...
