Chateau d'Esclans Garrus
Provence, France
Price: 198,67 €/L
Recommended with grilled sea bass, fennel puree, blanched spinach and escabeche sauce. For those willing to experiment, this rose will tolerate even steak or baby lamb chops.
- 8-10 °C
Garrus is the pinnacle of the Château d'Esclans Collection. It looks like a Provencal rosé, but the smell and taste reveal its very burgundy character. It is made from selected grapes from a single vineyard in the Esclans Valley, with the best Grenache vines almost 100 years old, Vermentino and a little bit of Syrah. Harvesting always takes place only until noon, in order to avoid the greatest heat. After sorting the grapes and destemming, light crushing at low temperature takes place to prevent oxidation. 90% of the must is free run, and the rest is light pressing. There is no maceration process, and alcoholic fermentation takes place in new and two-year old 600 L French oak barrels. The wine is aged for 10-12 months by the "batonnage" method twice weekly. The temperature is controlled in each individual barrel.
Sacha Lichine is really having a great time with his "rosérenaissance", bringing us a whole range of top rosés of different styles, with Garrus as the finest. The boundaries of rosé perception have been greatly expanded, and a whole new niche of premium rosé wines has been opened that can stand side by side with premium white wines of a similar style, and even some Champagnes. The lightness, elegance and aroma of Provencal rosé and the fullness, creaminess and complexity of Burgundy white wine make the ideal balance. Pronounced fruitiness on the nose, led by dried peaches and tropical fruits, in the mouth is subtle, full, and beautifully rounded. Mineral elements, bright acidity and fine tannins further complement it and significantly extend its life.