“In the Esclans Valley angels whisper. If you drink this wine, you might hear them. If by chance you visit us, you might see them.”—Sacha Alexis Lichine
For us at Sokolin, it’s not truly spring or summer until we have heard the angels whisper! This wine is a perennial favorite, offering consistent value and a depth of flavor that sets it apart in Provence rosés. Using Grenache, Vermentino, and Cinsault among others, Whispering Angel has a beautiful, gold-tinged pink hue that brings to mind the pastel stone buildings of La Motte from which the grapes are sourced.
Though Whispering Angel has come to exemplify Provence rosé, its creator, Sacha Lichine, has his roots in Bordeaux. Son of the famous Alexis Lichine, Sacha cut his winemaking chops at the second-growth estate of Chateau Lascombes before deciding that sunny Provence fit his outgoing attitude more than the often-stodgy Margaux. Current technical director, Patrick Léon, also boasts an impressive Bordeaux history before joining the d’Esclans teams. From Lascombes to Mouton Rothschild, with Opus One along the way, Léon brings unparalleled experience and skill in his winemaking.
The wine itself is a breath of fresh Mediterranean air. It offers a nose of minerally sea breeze, red fruit, and the smallest hint of almond, and it really finds its footing with a bit of warmth and air in the glass. Suddenly, a rich floral note appears with more pronounced strawberry and melon. Similarly, the palate starts with strong acidity and berried notes interplayed with a hint of smokiness and a central vein of tangerine peel. With time, the wine takes on grip, opening up to be almost juicy with that same floral note coming through once again.
Whether it’s served alone by the pool or with an al fresco meal of tuna, scallops, or pork, the Whispering Angel Rosé at only $18.95 should be one of your go-to wines this season!