From Aix-en-Provence: Half-day Sidecar Wine Tour
Leave Aix-en-Provence aboard a vintage sidecar and discover the legendary Sainte-Victoire mountain, Cézanne’s muse, along with charming villages and local wine tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Best 1 to 5 years from vintage.
vintage1 yrs5 yrs8 yrs
Critic scores
No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.
In the glass
Aroma: white peach, wild strawberry, lemon zest, vanilla
Palate: red currant, pink grapefruit, saline, almond
Esclans' next step up from Whispering Angel: roughly half barrel-fermented for added texture and complexity. Stone fruit and saline depth with a creamy almond-vanilla register from old oak.
What it pairs with
-
Salt-baked sea bass
Rock Angel's saline depth matches the seasoned fish; almond-vanilla register handles the flaky flesh. -
Roast chicken with tarragon
Aromatic herb and roasted poultry meet the wine's stone fruit and creamy texture. -
Provencal vegetable tart
Layered tart with tomato and aubergine aligns with the wine's body and saline finish. -
Veal cutlet with lemon
Light pan-fried veal meets the rose's body; lemon-zest finish refreshes the dish.
History
Rock Angel was introduced as the second tier in the Esclans rose hierarchy, designed to bridge the volume Whispering Angel and the flagship Les Clans and Garrus. The cuvee adds partial old-oak fermentation for texture without overwhelming the wine.
- 2007: First Rock Angel vintage released
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau d'Esclans · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah
- Classification
- AOC Cotes de Provence
- Oak
- Partial fermentation in old oak (around 50 percent), the balance in stainless steel
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 32 to 45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 1-5 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2007
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Chateau d'Esclans Rock Angel
What does Rock Angel taste like?
White peach, wild strawberry, lemon zest and vanilla on the nose; red currant, pink grapefruit, saline and almond on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long saline finish.
When should I drink Rock Angel?
Drink between 1 and 5 years from vintage. The partial oak fermentation gives the cuvee three to four years of comfortable cellaring beyond Whispering Angel.
Is Rock Angel vegan?
Yes. Rock Angel is produced without animal-derived fining agents, though the producer does not pursue formal vegan certification.
What food pairs with Rock Angel?
Salt-baked sea bass is the canonical pairing. Roast chicken with tarragon, Provencal vegetable tart and veal cutlet with lemon are equally strong matches.
How is Rock Angel different from Whispering Angel?
Rock Angel is fermented around 50 percent in old oak barrels, giving it more texture, complexity and aging potential than the stainless-steel-only Whispering Angel. It sits one tier up in the Esclans hierarchy.
Tags
Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Provence
From Aix-en-Provence: 2-Hour Wine & Scenery Sidecar Tour
Cruise through Provence in a vintage sidecar, soak in Cézanne’s landscapes, and enjoy a chilled glass of wine at a local vineyard.
From Aix-en-Provence: Wine & Luberon Villages Full-day Tour
Experience the Provençal lifestyle with this tour from Aix-en-Provence. Start your day by savoring the wines of Côtes de Provence. In the afternoon, explore some of Lu...