Château d'Esclans
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If you look at the worldwide success of high-quality rosé today, you can say that it is primarily thanks to one man and his vision: Sacha Lichine and his Château d'Esclans.
Château d'Esclans is located in a valley near the Gorges de Pennafort, not far from the coastal town of Frejus in the hinterland of the Côte d'Azur. The foundation walls of the château date back to the 12th century, the actual manor house was then built in the Tuscan style in the middle of the 19th century. However, the château is not only picturesquely situated in one of the most beautiful regions of France, it also owns outstanding vineyards, some of which are 90 years old.
Sacha Lichine also recognised this when he discovered the vineyard in 2005. Lichine, son of the famous Bordeaux château owner and author Alexis Lichine, had previously sold his Bordeaux estate, which included the grand cru classé wine estate Prieuré-Lichine, because he was drawn to other regions. Lichine had grown up in the American and French wine trade, he knew the market inside out and had a sense that the time was ripe for something completely new. He wanted to make rosé that would be as good as the great white and red wines of the world. For this, he needed the right terroir. He finally found it at Château d'Esclans and was able to acquire the vineyard in 2006. Right from the start, he had winemaker Jean-Claude Neu at his side, who had previously worked for the château, as well as oenologist Patrick Léon, who had worked for Lichine's father in the 1970s and then for Baron Philippe de Rothschild for many years. Lichine launched the „Rosé Grand Cru“ project with this team.
Today, it can be said that he has actually realised this goal, contrary to all previous critics' opinions. His wines, above all the Garrus from those very same ancient Grenache and Vermentino vines, have reached a level that one would never have thought possible for rosé and especially for Provence rosé. However, the winery has become known worldwide above all for the brand wine „Whispering Angel“, which has made the so-called „Saint-Tropez style“ famous. LVMH has held a stake in the winery since 2019.
© Images: Château d'Esclans
