Whispering Angel 2017 Rose Cote de Provence, Caves D'Esclans

Sacha Lichine's Chateau in Provence is a mecca for the delicious rose wine that the region is famous for. The brilliant orange-hued pink color of this lively wine comes from a careful touch of skin contact as the free-run and press juices are blended together. Grapes are mainly Grenache, Cinsault and a bit of the white grape Rolle (Vermentino) for added pizzaz. Destemming and slight crushing, both the free run juice and pressed juices are vinified in stainless steel. Batonnage is twice weekly.

UK wine columnist and author Matthew Jukes scores this 17.5 out of 20 and says "I have been tracking this wine since day one... the remarkable thing about this wine is that while its fame grows exponentially, the quality in the glass continues to march forwards, too. Made from Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino), Syrah and Tibouren, growing in vineyards surrounding the winery in La Motte en Provence, this is another sensual, silky-smooth, enthralling release and it comes in a vintage when there were many challenges during the growing season. Perhaps a little more forward than the dramatic 2016, and yet more succulent, too, I can tell you that in the last few days of 2017, this wine is already drinking beautifully Only three months after harvest, Whispering Angel is casting its spell with unerring accuracy and it will continue to shine in the glass and impress all-comers throughout 2018. Drinking now."

James Suckling scored it 92 points saying "This is so lovely with the strawberry and cream character but also so much minerality in the form of slate and chalk. Medium-bodied, this glides rather effortlessly on the palate but still shows flavorful notes of peaches and spices." and Decanter Magazine said "Has always delivered a fresh and sculpted rosé, on the mineral side of fruity, with a kick of mouthwatering salinity on the finish. Feels a little more grown-up than most other rosés in this price bracket."