From: La Crau, Côtes de Provence La Londe, IGP Mediterranée, France
Varietal: 40% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 20% Tibouren

Taste: Sourced from the vineyards abutting the two streams that intersect on the estate, the 2024 “Charmes” is comprised of 40% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 20% Tibouren, all planted in alluvial soils. Pressed shortly after harvest with minimal skin contact, its pale color and bright acid make for an effortlessly drinkable and very region-typical rosé.


Pairing: This blend adds magic to grilled summer vegetables, barbecued prawns, or a fresh chickpea salad. Other options include serving this with picnic fare like ham and cheese sandwiches, a classic sub, tuna or chicken salad sandwiches, caesar salads with grilled chicken, sheet-pan tofu and green beans, fish in parchment, Niçoise salads, couscous, and light rice dishes. 

About. Many thanks to the fine folks at Rosenthal Wine Merchants for the following information. Owned by the ancestors of the Villeneuve Bergamon family since the early 16th century, Château Les Mesclances has seen viticultural activity since the Roman Period.

In advance of a trip to Provence in September of 2020, we were fortunate to be introduced to Chateau Les Mesclances by Etienne Portalis, who currently helms the singular Château Pradeaux in Bandol. The timing was ideal, as we look to develop a new direction for our selections in Provence. The approach to the estate, situated a mere three kilometers from the Mediterranean in the commune of La Crau, is at once peaceful and dramatic. The contiguous 30 hectares of organically-farmed vineyards surrounded by forest, two streams (Mesclances is dialect for the confluence of rivers) and a gentle slope to the north lead up to the classic Provencal chateau. The charming and sage Arnaud de Villeneuve Bargemon greeted us at the entrance, accompanied by Alexandre Le Corguillé, the estate manager and our mutual contact with M. Portalis. The estate has been in Arnaud’s family since the Revolution, steadily producing the traditional wines of the region and existing as a picturesque ideal of Mediterranean culture.

As is to be expected, much of the vineyard production is dedicated to rosé, with respectable amounts of red and white wines emerging from the cellar each vintage as well. All wines are estate bottled and 2020 marks the first vintage of certified organic wines at all levels.  The geography of the estate dictates the various appellations found on the labels: vines in the plain below the slope are classified as IGP Méditerranée; the foot of the south-facing slope yields AOP Cotes de Provence, and the steeper incline of the hill carries the rare appellation Cotes de Provence La Londe, which carries a high concentration of schist content in the soil.  A mere 20 estates count La Londe in their holdings, as the appellation extends across 8 villages in the immediate area.