It’s summer and the Hamptons are in full swing with parties, enjoying “frosé” by the beach. Meanwhile, Chateau d’Esclans choose New York City to let 20 rosé lovers discover and enjoy the treasures of their collection.
This unique wine pairing event was organized by my friend Patrick on behalf of the AAGEF (Association des Amis des Grandes Ecoles de France) and hosted at Legacy records, a trendy restaurant in the new Hudson Yards neighborhood.
Pretty in pink!
The dinner took place in a private dining room adjacent to a beautiful open kitchen, so guest could see the chef and his team prepare the meals.
For the aperitif, we were first invited to enjoy Whispering Angel, Chateau d’Esclans’ flagship rosé.
To add more elegance to this delightful evening, all the wines were poured in Zalto glasses.
Wine connoisseurs already know this Austrian manufacturer beloved by sommeliers.
Alex, the Brand Ambassador of Chateau d’Esclans in the United States, introduced us to the story of the Chateau d’Esclans, probably the most prominent producer of rosé wines in the world.
it all started in 2006 when Sacha Lichine sold Chateau Prieuré-Lichine, a famous winery in the prestigious Margaux appellation he inherited from his father, to acquire Chateau d’Esclans in Provence.
Sacha Lichine wanted to produce the world’s best and most expensive rosé, drawing a lot of media attention.
He was the first to produce premium rosés and the first to age a rosé in oak barrels, changing the rosé wine scene in Provence. First with Whispering Angel. Then with Garrus.
Whispering Angel is now the bestselling French wine in the U.S. and an incredible success story in the U.S. where sales are skyrocketing.
The wine pairing is a unique opportunity to discover these other acclaimed and even more exclusive rosés from Chateau d’Esclans, produced in limited quantity three other elite roses, and pair them with fine food.
Rock Angel
One level above Whispering Angel, Rock Angel is fermented in a combination of 600-liter French oak barrels and stainless steel.
It’s a medium-bodied rosé with a mineral and creamy texture, red fruits aromas, and a little bit of oak.
Superb as an aperitif, it will pair well with a broad range of fine cuisine.
Les Clans 2016
Les Clans is a powerful and full-bodied rosé that pairs very well with food.
It is fermented in 600-liter French oak barrels, the typical size in Burgundy, so that the wood does not overly mark the wine. The temperature of each barrels is individually controlled to allow a slow fermentation and preserve the freshness of the wine. This unique cooling system cost 1.2 million dollars.
It is then aged on the lees and stirred periodically for an additional 10 months to add texture and complexity.
Therefore, Les Clans will age very well for 4 to 5 years, which is unique for a rosé.
Garrus 2016
And the best for the end, my favorite rosé!
Garrus is the world’s most expensive rosé. It’s also probably the best rosé in the world, with a lot of complexity.
It is made of Grenache, a red grape, and Rolle, a white grape. Like Les Clans, it is fermented and then aged in temperature-controlled 600-liter French oak barrels.
Produced like a white wine, it looks like it and tastes more like it too. But it’s a rosé!
Garrus will age gracefully for a few years. So follow Alex’s recommendation, buy a 6-bottle case and drink one bottle every year!