Structure

Bodylight
Tanninlow
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 1 to 3 years from vintage.
vintage1 yrs3 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

Light-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: white peach, wild strawberry, pink grapefruit, white flower

Palate: red currant, lemon zest, saline, watermelon

The Cotes de Provence rose that arguably defined the modern category. Pale, fresh and friendly, with stone fruit and citrus over a saline finish; the entry point to Sacha Lichine's Esclans range.

What it pairs with

  • Sushi
    Whispering Angel's saline and citrus finish handles raw fish; the wine is fresh enough not to overpower delicate flavours.
  • Salade nicoise
    Anchovy, olive and tuna meet the rose's saline depth; lemon-zest refreshes between bites.
  • Goat cheese tart
    Lactic-tangy goat cheese aligns with the rose's red-currant lift; the wine's body handles pastry richness.
  • Grilled prawns with lemon
    Citrus-finished shellfish align with the wine's lemon and watermelon palate.

History

Sacha Lichine acquired Chateau d'Esclans in 2006 and launched Whispering Angel as the volume cuvee of the estate. The wine quickly became the best-selling premium Provencal rose in the United States and a benchmark for the category internationally. Moet Hennessy (LVMH) took a majority stake in 2019.

  1. 2006: Sacha Lichine acquires Chateau d'Esclans and launches Whispering Angel
  2. 2019: Moet Hennessy (LVMH) takes a majority stake in Esclans

Facts

Producer
Chateau d'Esclans · visiting guide
Grapes
Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah
Classification
AOC Cotes de Provence
Oak
Stainless steel fermentation and aging
ABV
13.0%
Price
EUR 22 to 32 at retail
Drinking window
1-3 from vintage
First vintage
2006
Vegan
Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Chateau d'Esclans Whispering Angel

What does Whispering Angel taste like?

White peach, wild strawberry, pink grapefruit and white flower on the nose; red currant, lemon zest, saline and watermelon on the palate. Light-bodied with high acidity and a long saline finish.

When should I drink Whispering Angel?

Drink between 1 and 3 years from vintage. The wine is built for early drinking; chill thoroughly to 8 degrees Celsius.

Is Whispering Angel vegan?

Yes. Whispering Angel is produced without animal-derived fining agents, though the producer does not pursue formal vegan certification.

What food pairs with Whispering Angel?

Sushi is the canonical pairing. Salade nicoise, goat cheese tart and grilled prawns with lemon are equally strong matches.

Why is Whispering Angel so famous?

Sacha Lichine's launch of Whispering Angel in 2006 helped reset US consumer expectations for premium Provencal rose. It quickly became the best-selling French rose by case volume in the American market.

Tags

cinsault drink young dry grenache high acid iconic light body mood easygoing mood refreshing occasion aperitivo occasion picnic occasion summer occasion weeknight old world pairs with shellfish pairs with soft cheese pairs with sushi pairs with vegetable forward price trade up rolle still rose syrah vegan

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