Cotes de Provence Wine Tour from Aix-en-Provence
Visit Côtes de Provence winemaking region on this half-day trip from Aix-en-Provence! With an expert guide explore two traditional wineries in the area, enjoying wine-...
Profile
Structure
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 above is our own.
In the glass
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.More wines for sushi →
- Salade nicoise Anchovy, olive and tuna meet the rose's saline depth; lemon-zest refreshes between bites.More wines for vegetables and salads →
- Goat cheese tart Lactic-tangy goat cheese aligns with the rose's red-currant lift; the wine's body handles pastry richness.More wines for lamb →
- Grilled prawns with lemon Citrus-finished shellfish align with the wine's lemon and watermelon palate.More wines for prawns and shrimp →
With cheese
Brousse du Rove
Our pick Fresh brousse is tender, creamy and mild, so a light rosé is enough. A pale, light-bodied Provence rosé made in steel, with citrus and red fruit over high acidity, refreshes it. Androuet lists rosé de Provence for this cheese.
Poivre d'âne
Our pick Poivre d'âne is sweet and fragrant, with a fine, tight paste and a coat of dried herbs. A pale, light-bodied rosé with citrus and red fruit refreshes without covering the winter savory. Androuet lists rosé de Provence for it.
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.
- 2006Sacha Lichine acquires Chateau d'Esclans and launches Whispering Angel
- 2019Moet 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
Taste it where it is made: tastings near Chateau d'Esclans
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