Château d’Esclans & Whispering Angel Collection

 

The Revolution of Provence Rosé

Located in the heart of Provence—northeast of Saint-Tropez in the sun-drenched Esclans Valley—Château d’Esclans single-handedly transformed the perception of rosé worldwide. Acquired in 2006 by Sacha Lichine (son of legendary Bordeaux figure Alexis Lichine), the estate set out with a bold vision: to elevate rosé from a simple, casual summer sipper into a sophisticated, luxury fine wine worthy of the world's most prestigious cellars.

Collaborating with legendary winemaking director Patrick Léon (former managing director at Château Mouton Rothschild), Sacha introduced innovative temperature-controlled fermentation and oak-aging techniques previously reserved for grand cru whites and reds. Today, under the umbrella of Moët Hennessy, Château d’Esclans remains the undisputed global benchmark for Côtes de Provence excellence.

 

Terroir, Old Vines & Precision Winemaking

The estate encompasses 108 hectares of exceptional vineyards set against rolling limestone hills:

• Ancient Grenache Vines: The property features extraordinary old-vine Grenache, with some parcels reaching up to 100 years of age. These deep-rooted vines yield tiny, intensely concentrated berries packed with complex mineral character.

• Harvesting & Optical Sorting: Grapes are harvested exclusively in the cool early morning to prevent premature oxidation. Every single berry undergoes rigorous manual inspection followed by state-of-the-art optical sorting to ensure only flawless fruit reaches the press.

• Low-Temperature Cellar Masterclass: Using closed-circuit cooling systems, juice is kept chilled to preserve delicate floral aromas and vibrant fresh fruit flavors. Selected cuvées undergo barrel fermentation in 600-liter temperature-controlled oak casks (demi-muids) with gentle bâtonnage (lees stirring) for added texture and richness.

The Iconic Wine Family Portfolio

From effortless poolside sipping to serious cellar collectors, the Château d’Esclans portfolio offers a distinct progression of style and complexity:

Tier	Character Profile	Key Varietals	Winemaking Highlight
The Palm by Whispering Angel	Playful, fresh, easy-drinking with crisp red berry notes	Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan	Stainless steel fermentation
Whispering Angel	The global benchmark; bone-dry with peach, white blossom, & silky texture	Grenache, Cinsault, Vermentino (Rolle)	Stainless steel with temperature control
Rock Angel	Richer & more complex; subtle oak integration, mineral core, & creaminess	Grenache, Vermentino	Stainless steel & 600L oak casks
Château d’Esclans Estate	Elegant, textured, structured; orchard fruit, citrus zest, & fine spice	Grenache, Vermentino	50% stainless steel, 50% oak barrels
Les Clans	Full-bodied, lush, & serious; rich vanilla notes, ripe peach, & long finish	Old-vine Grenache, Vermentino	100% barrel-fermented in 600L oak
Garrus	The pinnacle luxury rosé; world-renowned depth, toasted brioche, & minerality	100-year-old Grenache, Vermentino	100% new French oak barrel fermentation

Gastronomic Pairings

While perfect as an aperitif, the bright acidity and silky texture across the Château d’Esclans range make these wines exceptionally versatile at the dinner table:

• Whispering Angel & The Palm: Fresh oysters, Mediterranean mezze, seared ahi tuna, goat cheese salads, or grilled prawns.

• Rock Angel & Château Estate: Pan-seared sea bass, lobster tail with herb butter, roasted chicken, or delicate veal dishes.

• Les Clans & Garrus: Roasted turbot, black truffle risotto, creamy poultry dishes, or aged Comté cheese.

Shop Château d’Esclans at ZYN

Discover the pale coral brilliance of the Whispering Angel family at ZYN Calgary or buy online at ZYN.ca. Every bottle is carefully preserved in our temperature-controlled cellar, guaranteeing optimal freshness and pristine Provence flavor in every glass.