This year, the iconic Whispering Angel celebrates its 20th birthday - and what a twenty years they have been! When Bordeaux producer Sacha Lichine bought the Provençal property that would become Château D’Esclans back in 2006, not even he could have foreseen how one rosé would change the wine world in the way it has. Provence has a lot to thank him for - and he has a lot to thank the agency that helped him design the look! But did you know that Whispering Angel is just one of seven wines in the Esclans stable? They’re all pink and all offer something a little different. Here’s what you need to know:
Caves D’Esclans & Château D’Esclans
There are two tiers to the Esclans business: Caves D’Esclans and Château D’Esclans. Caves D’Esclans makes the more accessibly priced, commercially friendly wines in higher volumes, where grapes are sourced more widely from vineyards across the Esclans valley and Côtes de Provence appellation rather than being entirely estate-owned and grown. These are The Pale, The Beach, Rock Angel and the world’s bestselling Provençal rosé, Whispering Angel.
The Pale, £16.50 (£12.50 mix 6) Majestic
This is Esclan’s entry-level rosé and it’s still rather smart. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (aka Vermentino) and Syrah grown in the Var part of Provence, this is your aperitif pink: crisp and dry with subtle grapefruit and red fruit notes.
The Beach, £13.75 on offer (was £17.75) Waitrose
A slight step up in quality, the Beach hails from Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, where wines are a little more glacial and mineral than the plusher wines of Côtes de Provence. This cuvée made with Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah also boasts impressive sustainable credentials.
Whispering Angel, £23 Waitrose
A classic Côtes de Provence blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle and Syrah, this famous cuvée is elegant and fresh, with riper notes of white peach and strawberry with a pleasing saline core.
Rock Angel, £24 on offer (was £28) Waitrose
The Angel’s big brother, Rock Angel is a slightly more complex and mineral rosé than Whispering Angel, though it still falls under the Côtes de Provence appellation. Made with the same blend, it is cool, crisp and lean - and a great pairing for food.
On the upper tier, we have the estate wines from Château D’Esclans: the Château d’Esclans cuvée itself, Les Clans and Garrus. Grapes for these wines come from the estate’s own vineyard, which features old-vine parcels (some Grenache vines over 100 years old) and are hand-harvested. These are lower-volume, more expensive and more serious, age-worthy rosés which are barrel-fermented in oak rather than just stainless steel. Garrus is generally considered to be one of the most expensive and ambitious rosés in the world!
Château d’Esclans, £41 (£36 mix 6) Majestic
Château d’Esclans is the first estate wine. Made from a blend of Grenache and Rolle, there’s some stainless steel and some barrel fermentation, which means it maintains freshness and some ripe pear and peach fruit while showcasing a lovely, creamy texture and a whiff of vanilla.
Les Clans, £53.99, Selfridges
A fantastic example of a complex and super concentrated Provençal rosé that has the potential to age for at least 6 or 7 years. Another blend of Grenache and Rolle with some barrel fermentation, the fruitiness here really pops. This is a serious, gastronomic style of rosé with a hint of spice.
Garrus 2022, £98 Fortnum & Mason
Garrus is top of the tree at Château d’Esclans. Made from grapes grown on nearly 100-year-old vines, this blend of Grenache and Rolle is entirely fermented and aged in new, large French oak barrels. It is full-bodied and rich with notes of red fruit, white peach and baking spice. A stunning, truly iconic wine that can age for a decade.
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