Château d’Esclans Garrus Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014, France (£70-£80 check Wine-Searcher for stockists)
Delicate but persistent style, shows the slightly salty tang, along with touches of spice, smoky oak and vanilla to start with but these fade with time allowing the peachy but precise flavours tinged with herbs to show through, with a vein of crisp acidity to hold it all together. Really lovely wine. G-
Château d’Esclans Déesse Diane Côtes de Provence Rouge 2012, France (£35 check Wine-Searcher for stockists)
Intense yet classy, awash with dark brooding and slightly meaty fruit (probably the Mourvèdre talking), but with floral aromas, a salty/sandy note and a spine of ripe tannin and crisp acidity, all underpinned by a cool stony character, something like graphite or wet slate. Dark and delicious but always fresh, would love to see how this ages. G(-)
You can watch THIS Facebook Live video to see what I thought of two other d’Esclans wines (both high silver medal wines):
Château d’Esclans Les Clans Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014, France
Château d’Esclans Déesse Astrée Côtes de Provence Blanc 2014, France
Have also tried these two recently:
Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015, France
Takes a while to get going, but then tangy peach and strawberry flavours emerge, with light spicy notes to pep up the sprightly finish. B
Château d’Esclans Rock Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015, France
Similar flavours to the above – although my notes say raspberry rather than strawberry – but this scores for extra depth of flavour and a finish that combines a light herby character with a brisk mineral freshness. S-