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 4 years from vintage.
vintage1 yrs4 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, pink grapefruit, white flower
Palate: red currant, lemon zest, saline, watermelon
Saint Maur's accessible Cru Classe rose since acquisition by Roger Zannier in 2009. Pale, fresh and reliably structured.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled prawns with garlic
L'Excellence's saline core matches shellfish sweetness; acidity cuts the garlic butter. -
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. -
Tomato and burrata
Creamy cheese with ripe tomato meets the rose's body and watermelon palate.
History
Roger Zannier acquired Chateau Saint Maur in 2009 and modernised the estate, with L'Excellence launching as the estate's accessible Cru Classe rose in 2010. Saint Maur is one of 18 Cotes de Provence Cru Classe estates.
- 1955: Estate classified as Cotes de Provence Cru Classe
- 2009: Roger Zannier acquires Chateau Saint Maur
- 2010: L'Excellence launched as the estate's accessible rose
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Saint Maur · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault
- Classification
- AOC Cotes de Provence Cru Classe
- Oak
- Stainless steel fermentation with brief lees aging
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 22 to 35 at retail
- Drinking window
- 1-4 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2010
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Chateau Saint Maur L'Excellence Rose
What does Saint Maur L'Excellence taste like?
White peach, wild strawberry, pink grapefruit and white flower on the nose; red currant, lemon zest, saline and watermelon on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long saline finish.
When should I drink Saint Maur L'Excellence?
Drink between 1 and 4 years from vintage. The cuvee shows well from release through year 3.
Is Saint Maur L'Excellence vegan?
Yes. The estate does not use animal-derived fining agents on L'Excellence.
What food pairs with Saint Maur L'Excellence?
Grilled prawns with garlic is the canonical pairing. Salade nicoise, goat cheese tart and tomato and burrata are equally strong matches.
What classification does L'Excellence have?
AOC Cotes de Provence Cru Classe, the top tier of the appellation. Saint Maur is one of 18 estates holding the designation since the 1955 classification.
Tags
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