French Rosés

We have thousands of wines. Although we carry many national brands, that is not our focus. The following are well made and generally more interesting wines that we are proud to recommend. Yes, we have celebrity and pretty bottle rosés like Whispering Angel, Summer in a Bottle, and Avaline, but we have BETTER for LESS.

PROVENCE 

Constance Côtes du Provence Rosé, Maison Lapin, 2023 ($17.99) – I don’t understand why, but wine producers/marketers often make decisions without clearing them with me first! The folks at Maison Lapin in Provence labeled their lovely rosé under the brand name “Constance” for many years. It sold quite well for us. Then last year, they decided to change the label to reflect the name of the winery. That’s fine, but it confused Constance fans who were skeptical that it was the same wine. Now the winery is back to the Constance label. The wine, of course, is just as good, and it’s one of our favorites. Bright, balanced, moderately priced, and devoid of bubblegum character (the result of using a particular yeast), it is a blend of 45% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 21% Syrah, and 9% Carignan grown on chalky hills. The resulting wine is typically pale in color and has delicate notes of strawberry, raspberry, and peach.

Château Sainte-Roseline Rosé Prestige, Côtes de Provence, 2024 ($18.49) - This very attractive wine (and bottle) comes from Château Sainte-Roseline, one of our favorite Provençal estates. It was listed in the 1955 classification that recognized the best estates. The property was purchased in 1994 by Bernard Teillaud and is currently run by his daughter, Aurélie Bertin Teillaud. The Prestige bottling comes in a beautiful, “glass”-stoppered bottle and is a blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 10% Tibouren from growers all certified High Environmental Value 3 - HVE3. James Suckling: 91 “Well-rounded, juicy, and fruity with red berries, cherries, and warm herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Subtle and delicious.”

Les Quatre Tours Vilandria Rosé, Coteaux Aix en Provence, 2024 ($18.75) - Les Quatre Tours is a co-op with very high standards. Vilandria is its benchmark cuvée, the true signature of its authentic vineyards. It is a blend of the best plots from the 5 villages covered (Venelles, Aix-En-Provence, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Éguilles, Lambesc). A racy blend of Rolle and Sauvignon Blanc, from a selection of vines planted on clay-limestone soils at an altitude of 250 to 400 meters and southern exposure. Warm microclimate, tempered by the Mistral and the altitude. Gentle press and cold fermentation at controlled temperature. Fresh and aromatic nose, with notes of ripe fruit (apricot, pineapple, exotic fruit, etc.). Powerful and well-balanced with aromas of citrus fruits, developed fruitiness (quince, pineapple), and a hint of vanilla. The palate is well-balanced and rounded with a nice minerality. 13% alcohol.

Henri Gaillard Côtes du Provence Rosé, 2023 ($18.99) - This 50-acre estate is located just outside Saint Tropez. This is a classic Provence rosé with its pale color, crisp texture, and bright acidity. Despite the pale color, it is packed with red fruits and peaches. Best of all, it shows little if any of the annoying bubblegum character so common in rosés today, a feature of wines made with a strain of yeast apparently popular with some producers. Dry and vibrant, this is made from predominantly Grenache with some Cinsault, Carignan, and Syrahs. Screams for grilled chicken breasts BBQ chicken wings, dry pork spare ribs, and salads topped with grilled chicken.

Château Sainte-Roseline Rosé Cuvée Le Cloitre Cru Classé, Côtes de Provence, 2024 ($19.99) – The Cloitre, 50% Grenache, 40% Consult, and 10% Syrah, is certified organic. All estate fruit, it carries the Cru Classé designation, for Sainte-Roseline was one of the 23 properties listed in the 1955 classification as being the best in Provence. Only 18 of these are still producing wine. Le Cloitre is a little more serious than the Prestige and takes a month or so longer to come together. Since Suckling tasted them both at the same time, he only gave this: 90 “A juicy, fruity, and refreshing rosé with dried strawberries, frozen berries, and mild spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Linear and joyful, with a fruity, delicious finish.”

Château Gassier Rosé “Esprit Gassier,” Côtes de Provence, 2024 ($20.99) - The Gassier family purchased Château Gassier and its vineyards in 1982. The Jeanjean family joined the endeavor in 2004. Georges Gassier, the family’s fifth generation of winemakers, runs the domaine. Olivier Souvelain was hired in 2010 to restructure the vineyards and buildings as well as improve the overall image of the brand. The vineyards underwent organic conversion in 2016. They cover 100 acres bordered by the Sainte-Victoire mountain in the North, the Sainte Baume mountains in the South, and the Monts Auréliens in the East, together forming a unique backdrop for the vineyards. Less than 30 km from the Mediterranean Sea, the valley enjoys a semi-continental climate. This is a blend of Grenache, Consult, Syrah, and Rolle. The grapes are direct-pressed with minimal skin contact and fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel to preserve the berry aromas. The wine is light in color with peach nuances and delicate notes of white flowers and white fruits.

Château Sainte-Roseline Collection, Côtes de Provence Classé, 2024 ($26.99) - Few rosés justify this price. We’re talking about you, Whispering Angel and Summer in a Bottle! This one does! The Collection Cuvée celebrates. It is the best of the three cuvées we carry from Saint-Roseline, epitomizing finesse and elegance. Like the “Cloitre” bottling, it is all estate fruit and thus carries the Classé designation. Harvest is carried out using a conveyor belt to prevent berry damage, followed by meticulous hand sorting and destemming. The berries are gently pressed to avoid oxidation. The must undergoes cold stabilization at 32°F for 15 to 20 days in stainless steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation lasts 15 days at 61°F, followed by aging on the fine lees. The grape varietals are Tibouren (50%), Mourvèdre (25%), and Grenache (25%). Very limited!

OTHER

Domaine Lafage Miraflors Rosé, 2024 ($18.99) - Rosé “season” has practically become year-round, but of course, it expands in the warmer weather. The popularity of rosé wines continues to grow at an amazing clip. U.S. sales for 2020 (the last year for which we have complete data) are approximately 10 times what they were in 2011! 

Domaine Lafage sits in the heart of Roussillon, part of the large expanse in southern France stretching from just west of the Rhône River to the foothills of the Pyrenees. The main property was established in 1798, and the estate now consists of 350 hectares spread out across Roussillon and is run by the 7th generation, Jean-Marc Lafage, and his enologist wife, Eliane. They took over the family estate, which includes a state-of-the-art winery, in 2001 and purchased Mas Miraflors in 2006.

Domaine Lafage produces four different rosés. Miraflors, the flagship rosé, is pale in color with a pleasing iodine, spicy, and mineral bouquet, It has a racy profile with a medium body and balancing acidity. The vines average 25 years of age, and yields are restricted to 50 hl/ha. The packaging is very elegant with a tall, slim bottle stoppered with a classy glass (Vino Seal) cork. No corked wine! Wine Advocate: 90 "A blend of 50% Grenache Gris, 30% Grenache Noir, and 20% Mourvèdre, the 2022 IGP Cotes Catalanes Miraflors Rosé reveals aromas of red berries, watermelon, lemon, spices and menthol. Moderately weighted with a juicy texture, it’s fresh, elegant, and well-balanced with an iodine-laced finish."

Lauverjat Sancerre Rosé, 2024 ($25.99) - On vacation in France in June of 2022, Joel stayed two nights at the bed and breakfast run by the Lauverjats on their property in Sury-en-Vaux, one of the 14 villages in the Loire Valley’s Sancerre appellation. We continue to be fans of their wonderful wines. The rosé is 100% Pinot Noir, fermented and aged in stainless steel. This salmon-colored beauty has enticing aromas of wild strawberries and the classic mineral backbone that typifies the wines of Sancerre. 

The Lauverjat family has been farming in Sancerre for generations. For many years, the family had a mill on a tiny river called La Belaine that is next to the winery where they used to mill their own wheat; the winery is still known by some as the “Moulin des Vrillères.” They have 110 hectares of wheat, hops, and rapeseed alongside 13 hectares of vines in Sury-en-Vaux and Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerrois. In 2019, Karine's son, Kevin joined Karine’s husband, Christian at the winery after finishing his studies in Beaune. Their daughter, Suzie, helps Karine run their wine and gift shop in the center of Sancerre as well as the bed and breakfast. The vineyards are farmed following sustainable viticulture. They use pulverized seaweed to combat disease, allowing them to reduce chemical treatments for mildew by 30%. They never use herbicides or pesticides, and they grow grass in the rows for weed control and to prevent erosion.

Jean-Paul Picard Sancerre Rosé, 2024 ($25.99) - While on vacation in France in June of 2022, Joel got to visit the small Picard estate. Their 14 hectares of vineyards are ideally situated on the slopes of Bué, one of the most prestigious villages in Sancerre. We had trouble connecting via e-mail with them and decided to just show up. They were very gracious and took time out of their very busy day to show us around and taste us on their wonderful wines. Interestingly, while we were there, a couple from Belgium drove up for their annual purchasing trip! The wine speaks for itself. Just! Delicious!