Château d'Esclans Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé 2020

"... truly staggering. It appeals from the moment it is poured into your glass until the last sunset next summer."  Matthew Jukes

Château d'Esclans' Whispering Angel is the most famous rosé from Provence today. The 2020 vintage is made from ade from Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Tibouren. Grapes sourced from the most choice vineyards in the vicinity of the Esclans Valley and nearby in the Cotes de Provence region. Harvesting is conducted during the night time to keep the crop fresh. 

"Whispering Angel is the world's most famous rosé for good reason. The 2020 is delicious and refined, but is richer and has more palate weight than other Provence rosés. And oh so creamy - not an adjective used often with rosé. Spash out for that special dinner or picnic lunch."  Nick Munday

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Expert reviews

"Whispering Angel is the world's most famous rosé for good reason. The 2020 is delicious and refined, but is richer and has more palate weight than other Provence rosés. And oh so creamy - not an adjective used often with rosé. Spash out for that special dinner or picnic lunch."  Nick Munday, Canterbury Wines - 95 points

"Very pale apricot-pink color. Delicate aromas of sliced apple, pink grapefruit, peach, cream and stones follow through to a medium body and crisp acidity. Deliciously creamy and smooth. Drink and enjoy."  James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com - 92 points

Provence region

Provence, in the South East of France, is the rosé capital of the world. The region sits along the Mediterranean coast of France, bordered by the Rhone River to the west and the Côte d'Azur on the east. Physically, it's only about 150 miles long and 100 miles North to South, but its impact is profound.

Wine has been made here for over 2600 years, making Provence the oldest wine-producing region of France. It is also the only place to focus on Rosé - 88% of Provence wine production is dedicated to rosé! With mineral rich soils, 300 days of sun a year and the cooling Mistral winds, the Provence offers the ideal growing conditions to grow Rosé.  Rosé from here is pale pink, dry, refreshing and savoury - very different to their Australian counterparts. The main grape varieties used in Rosé are Grenache, Syrah, Cinsualt and Mourvedre. 

The Provence wine region is comprised of 9 main sub-regions or appellations (AOC -Appellation de'Origin Contrôlée). These appellations are shown in the map below.

The largest appellation is Côtes de Provence, which accounts for around 75% of the total production of the Provence region (of which 90% is Rosé). Second in size is Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, where Rosé is also king, which is heavily influenced by the Mistral winds. The most prestigious appellation is the much smaller Bandol. The vines in Bandol are planted on silicon and limestone soils, which together with the warm, coastal climate is very suitable for the late ripening of the Mourvèdre grape. Wines coming out of Bandol must contain more than 50% Mourvèdre in the blend whether they are Rosés or reds. Reds from Bandol are just as noteworthy as their Rosé counterparts.

 The appellations of the Provence Wine Region

Sacha Lichine

Born in Bordeaux in 1960 and educated in America, Sacha Lichine has worked in every aspect of the Wine industry from production to final sale. He began working at his family’s properties, Château Prieuré Lichine and Château Lascombes during the summers of his youth, working the vines to dressing and selling the final product in the estate’s retail shop.

From 1978 and 1982, while at university in America, Sacha established Sacha Lichine International  - a luxury wine tour business to France that consisted of a 3 week trip through all major wine villages and appellations in France that included dining at the greatest Michelin starred restaurants along the way.

Between 1982 and 1983.Sacha worked as a Salesperson and Buyer at C. Pappas & Co. wine wholesalers in Boston. A wine brokerage and distribution company, Caribbean Châteaux, was established on Saint Lucia in 1983 to promote and sell his selections to all major luxury hotels and resorts in over 18 islands, and operated until 1987. In 1985 Sacha was hired as an Imported Wine Specialist in Beverly Hills for Southern Wines & Spirits of California.

A defining moment in Sacha’s career came when he started running Prieuré Lichine in 1987 at the age age 27. Additionally, he worked with his father Alexis Lichine to update the renowned Encyclopedia of Wines & Spirits. In 1990 Sacha started a negociant business, Borvin, focusing on selecting the best wines from Bordeaux and in 1992 Sacha became a Negociant in Burgundy forming Sacha Lichine Asscociates.

In 2006 Sacha acquired Château d’Esclans in Provence. He felt that rosé had strong developmental opportunities, both on the production and marketing sides, which would see the wine being served and consumed more widely. His foresight and energy for making and promoting great wine has resulted in building a world class branded range that includes Whispering Angel, Rock Angel, Château d’Esclans, Les Clans and Garrus. In the process, Sacha has provided a strong contribution to the unprecedented growth that has occurred in the consumption of rosé.

About the winery

 Château d’Esclans was purchased by Sacha Lichine in 2006. Born in Bordeaux and educated in America, he has been surrounded by wine and worked in the industry all his life. Sacha began working at his family’s properties, Château Prieuré Lichine and Château Lascombes during the summers of his youth. Later, while In America, he would establish a luxury wine tour business to France, work as a buyer at a wine wholesaler and start a wine brokerage and distribution company.

A defining moment in Sacha’s career came when he started running Prieuré Lichine in 1987 at the age age 27. Additionally, he worked with his father Alexis Lichine to update the renowned Encyclopedia of Wines & Spirits. In 1990 Sacha started a negociant business, Borvin, focusing on selecting the best wines from Bordeaux and in 1992 Sacha became a Negociant in Burgundy forming Sacha Lichine Asscociates.

In 2006 Sacha acquired Château d’Esclans in Provence, a pivotal moment in his life and career. His vision was to be part of a rosé renaissance and create the world’s greatest rosé wines. He was joined by founding winemaker Patrick Léon, who brought with him many years of international winemaking experience and innovative winemaking techniques that transformed the style of rosé wines being produced in Provence.

The result was a world-class portfolio of rosé wines notable for their complexity, depth and elegance. The range includes Whispering Angel, Rock Angel, Château d’Esclans, Les Clans and Garrus. The wines can now be found in more than 100 countries around the world, providing a refreshing accompaniment to all sorts of situations. Star performer Whispering Angel has become a global reference point for Provence rosé. Sacha has provided a strong contribution to the unprecedented growth that has occurred in the consumption of rosé.

LVMH purchased a 55% stake in Château d’Esclans at the end of 2019, forming a strategic alliance with Sacha Lichine. Sacha retained a 45% stake in his company and works closely with Moët Hennessy to develop his range of luxury rosés.