Description
We have entered a Golden Age of Rosé! Gone are the days when rosés were dull, lacking in character, and often bottled with some residual sugar. In the past winemakers tended to use the red grapes, that they rejected from their red wines, to make rosé. No longer! The trend now is to use the best quality grapes, and from specific vineyards which reflect their terroir in the style of the wine. In Provence this means that the £20 bottle of rosé is no longer unusual.
Yet, it is possible to get the same quality, but at a much better price, in the new-wave rosés further along the coast in the Languedoc. Increasingly on our travels we find ourselves spoilt for choice by these undervalued beautiful rosés.
This year, following our Spring visit, we’ve selected four delicious Rosés, each with its own individual character – from Marc Cabrol of Domaine des Lauriers on the edge of the Bassin de Thau and Pascal Gianseni of Château Jouclary in Cabardès close the wonderful medieval city of Carcassonne.
A Mixed Dozen case contains 3 bottles of each of:
Paredaux Rosé 2023
IGP d’Oc
This is a very pale salmon pink, made from 50% Cinsault and 50% Syrah, vinified after a very short spell of skin contact at low temperature.
The nose is very much like that of a Provence rosé with hints of stone fruit. On the palate it displays juicy strawberry and raspberry fruit with redcurrants at the finish. There is lovely fresh acidity and good length. A cracking aperitif!
Domaine des Lauriers, Cuvée Line, Rosé 2023
IGP d’Oc
Made from 45% Syrah, 45% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, a Provence-style mix, this delicate rosé is salmon pink but slightly deeper colour than their Paredaux cuvée. There is a ripe fruit salad nose with delicious flavours of strawberry and cassis with nectarine and hints of orange zest. There is a refreshing touch of spritz at the finish. Made to partner food but delicious on its own!
Château Jouclary Rosé 2023
AOP Cabardès
This is a joyous blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, and 10% Syrah.
It is a very pale platinum pink. Raspberries and stone fruits abound on the nose. The same flavours fill the mouth with the addition of apricots and a hint of liquorice. It has a lovely fresh finish. A perfect rosé for summer drinking. Delicious!
Château Jouclary Rosé ‘J’ 2023
AOP Cabardès
This is Pascal’s carefully crafted prestige rosé. A blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, and 10% Syrah and designed to reflect the terroir by using only the best grapes from specially selected parcels.
Slightly pinker in colour than the standard cuvée, this has enticing aromas of redcurrants and white flowers. In the mouth the wine has lovely concentration with flavours of white peach and redcurrants. There is a very attractive enveloping mouthfeel and a more aromatic quality at the finish with great length.
Fabulous stuff, it is up there with the best of modern gastronomic rosés. It is a perfect accompaniment for grilled peppers, goats cheese on toast, fish dishes and even Thai/Chinese food.
