Wine Region: Provence

(2026) There's absolutely no denying the class - or the deliciousness - of this vintage of what is surely the World's most famous Rosé. Silky smooth in texture, the charming red berries of the nose flow onto the palate where perfect mineral and sheer, delicate line balance propels a long, dry and harmonious finish.

(2026) A very pale, but candy-floss coloured pink made from 70% Grenache with Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Tubouron, this is certified organic. Pretty and delicate, rose-hip and watermelon lightness to aromas and palate, there's fine balance and finesse here, a lovely rosé that feels natural and as if it's not trying too hard.

(2026) The well-established estate of Château d’Estoublon makes this pale pink wine mostly from Grenache grown in the Coteaux Varoix en Provence, along with smaller percentages of Syrah, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino). It spends several weeks on the lees in concrete tanks after fermentation. Prety and fruity aromas of watercolour paint and cherry speak of the cold ferment, while the palate has an elegant appeal. There's a trace of sweetness, but swept up in juicy and nicely tart acidity, a light chalkiness to the texture adding to the appeal.

(2026) Though the 20225 is now also on the shelves, this Grenache-based 'big brother' to the massive brand that is Whispering Angel is also available. A year in bottle has done it no harm - I tasted it this time last year, scoring it 92 points. A touch of peach to the pale pink colour here, and the modest exposure to oak this cuvée enjoys adds a delicate warmth and creaminess to the clean, red and stone fruit aromas and flavours. It is really rather lovely on the palate, the acidity a pointe and the fruit staying quite savoury but also ripe and fresh.

(2026) A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vermentino from Coteaux Varois en Provence. It's a cool, mineral and herb-flecked style, the palate quite decisive with a hint of ripe pear and a cut of lemony acidity. It's juicy and orangey-citrussy, even sherbetty overall, and pleasing.

(2026) "Au soleil et à la neige" says the label, suggesting this is a wine that doesn't take itself too seriously. In fact it's a brand conceived, in all places, by residents of Sandbanks in Dorset, and made for them by a Provence estate. A blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault and Syrah, there's slightly more depth of colour to this than some, and a particularly bold fruitiness too: ripe and overflowing with berry fruits, it still has excellent freshness and balance and is most enjoyable - whatever the weather.

(2026) A striking bottle, made moreso because it is very dark brown glass, so unusual for a Provence pink, but there to guard against light striking the wine. The blend is Grenache, Syrah, Tibouren and Rolle, and there is some barrel fermentation here in one of a group of more 'serious' rosés of the region, with a capacity for six year ageing according to Galoupet. It is another with an incredibly pale colour that is almost more lemon than pink, and served not too cold it reveals citrus peel, leafy herbs and a touch of vanilla. In the mouth there is more red fruit coming through, and plenty of ripeness and succulence. Quite creamy in texture, a bracing acidity is flecked with salt into a long, quite spicy finish.

(2026) As always, Esclans' Garrus comes over like a fine white Burgundy that's been kissed by sweet red berry fruit. Fermented and aged in new, large, French oak barrels, the oak is quite prominent at this young stage, but the quality is transparent and the wine remains pristine, the clarity of delicate raspberry and a touch of blanched almond lead on to a palate that shimmers with cool fruit, the edges chiseled to a fine, smooth point. This blend of Grenache and Rolle (Vermentino) flows to a long, beautifully balanced finish. One of the best vintages yet of this ground-breaking and always fascinating wine.

(2025) I have to say I always enjoy this big brother to the Whispering Angel, Rock Angel made from estate-grown fruit at Chateau d'Esclans (Grenache and Rolle), and partly barrel-fermented. That adds no perceptible 'oaky' quality beyond a slight creaminess to the aromas that are otherwise of ripe but keen red berries and hint of peach. In the mouth it is pleasingly fruity - plenty of buoyant, ripe and quite fleshy fruit - but there is some structure here. Acidity is defined, and there's a hint of spicy tannin, perhaps from the fruit, perhaps from the barrel, but adding a pleasing edge of chalky grip to the otherwise summer flavours. Rather good once again.

(2025) A blend of selected Grenache and Rolle which have been sorted three times via optical sorting and manual sorting tables. It is made from free-run juice and gentle first pressing, fermented and aged in large oak barrels. A little depth to the colour and vinous aromas, fresh and grapey, but delicate too, a little peach down, freshness of raspberry and a background hint of cedary spices. There's plenty of texture on the palate, a creaminess that fills the mouth. Sweet fruit is reminiscent of strawberry and peach, but with a limey citrus pushing through. Quite powerful and intense, the spice reassert lightly in the finish.