In Seattle, this is an exclusive wine to Champion Wine Cellars.
From: AOP Côtes de Provence, France
Blend: 70% Grenache and 20% Cinsault, with a hint of Mourvèdre (10%)
Taste: On the nose, the wine offers up a Provençal getaway, where peach notes coalesce with a compelling blend of redcurrant and tart raspberry. This fruit medley is elegantly underpinned by a whisper of Provençal herbs, an aromatic hint of the garrigue that blankets the region's rolling hills. On the palate, this rosé charms with its vinous yet vibrant character. The primary flavors of ripe peach, crisp redcurrant, and tart raspberry come forward, elevated by an undercurrent of herbaceous complexity. The wine is beautifully balanced, with neither acid nor alcohol overpowering the harmony of flavors. It displays a poised, fulsome mouthfeel that culminates in a persistently pleasing finish.
Pairing: The 2023 Château Les Mesclances Cuvée Saint Honorat Côtes de Provence Rosé exhibits a delightful versatility when it comes to food pairing. Its bright fruit character and understated herbal undertones allow it to stand up to various dishes. Seafood makes for a natural pairing, and this rosé would shine alongside a platter of fresh, briny oysters or a traditional bouillabaisse abundant with local fish and shellfish. The wine's refreshing acidity and hint of salinity enhance the oceanic flavors, creating a harmonious union.
Grilled chicken or turkey with a generous dusting of herbes de Provence (check out the recipe below) would also complement the wine’s profile. The herbal nuances in both the dish and the wine would resonate with each other, creating an echo of flavors that are quintessentially Provençal.
For vegetarian pairings, consider a classic ratatouille or a goat cheese and sun-dried tomato tart. The wine's bright fruit notes and modest acidity would beautifully balance the earthiness of these dishes.
Roasted Chicken Provençal
Recipe from Steven Stolman
Adapted by Sam Sifton
About. In the Provençal dialect, "Mesclances" represents a confluence of rivers, a fitting metaphor for the journey a fine wine undertakes from vineyard to bottle. Nestled amidst verdant forests and flanked by two streams, the Château Les Mesclances is such a place where the elements coalesce to form an enchanting terroir, offering up wines of extraordinary clarity and complexity.
This beautiful 30-hectare domaine in the commune of La Crau, just three kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea, is under the careful stewardship of Arnaud de Villeneuve Bargemon. The estate, steeped in history that predates the French Revolution, has remained in his family for generations. Today, it is a haven for organic viticulture (certified in 2020, though practices extend far beyond that), lending its wines an aura of authenticity and truth to the land.
Each slope, plain, and hill within the Mesclances estate narrates a distinct story, as reflected in the various appellations on their labels. The plain below the slope gives us the IGP Méditerranée, the south-facing slope bears AOP Côtes de Provence, and the steeper incline, rich in schist content, is christened Côtes de Provence La Londe—a rare appellation found in only 20 estates across eight nearby villages.
The 2023 Château Les Mesclances Cuvée Saint Honorat Côtes de Provence Rosé encapsulates this harmony of elements and echoes the very spirit of the vineyard. Sourced from a mid-slope parcel—a site where the estate's grape story began—it is named after Saint Honorat, the bishop who once blessed these vineyards during his pilgrimage. This blend is primarily composed of Grenache and Cinsault, with a hint of Mourvèdre, from vines averaging 35 years old. The Grenache and Cinsault undergo six to nine hours of maceration, rendering a rosé that is both vinous and playful, with a brightness that testifies to its remarkable balance.
The 2023 vintage in Provence had winemakers experiencing a year marked with above-average temperatures in the summer, heavy rains in May and June that resulted in mildew problems, and a thunderstorm upon harvest, which threatened yields further. Yet, this year's rosés, including the Mesclances, exhibit a fantastic balance of superb fruit and surprising freshness. These are wines that dared to defy the odds.
British wine critic Richard Hemming MW captures the allure of the previous vintage, 2022 Château Les Mesclances Cuvée Saint Honorat in his recent review. Drawing a parallel with the concept of "stealth wealth"—the understated elegance of the unobtrusively affluent—he declares this rosé to be the season's preferred choice. With the industry leaning away from flamboyance and towards subtlety, the Mesclances rosé is perfectly positioned to shine.
As Hemming puts it, the St Honorat rosé, with a 17/20 score, is "the sort of pale peach that you might wear as a billowing scarf on the yacht". Its distinctive palate carries notes of peach, redcurrant, and tart raspberry, embellished by a bouquet garni of Provençal herbs on the finish. It is neither overtly acidic nor high in alcohol, leading to a pleasing, balanced taste.
The Château Les Mesclances Cuvée Saint Honorat Côtes de Provence Rosé is proof that one doesn't need grandiosity to make an impression. Like Shiv Roy, it might remain under the radar amidst louder presences, yet for those discerning few who value substance over spectacle, this is a rosé whose inherent quality is undeniable. Its understated elegance, complexity, and affordability mark it as a wine of the times, perfect for those who appreciate the subtle allure of Provencal rosé.
