This wine, produced by Castel Frères, stood out to me during a Tesco Summer tasting and I even highlighted it in a roundup at the time. However, it wasn’t until recently that I had the chance to explore this wine in more detail. Now, I’m convinced this is my top pick for the best quality Provence rosé for the price, this year.
Great Provence rosés can be quite pricey, often starting at around £15. Despite the cost, many tend to lack flavour, as confirmed by Patrick Schmitt MW during a masterclass I attended. He said that the pressing of the grapes gently with minimal skin contact results in the iconic pale hue but often limits the extraction of flavours and tannins, creating a more delicate profile.
This 2023 vintage blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Cinsault and 10% Syrah/Shiraz offers a nicely balanced structure. However, what probably sets this particular rosé apart is its brief ageing on the lees, which enriches the wine’s flavour profile. Unlike many of its peers, this bottle has a distinct vibrancy, with red berry aromas and flavours really shining through.
One of the best aspects of this wine is its affordability. As it’s white-labelled by Tesco, the price is brought down to a very reasonable £10. Even better, I managed to buy a bottle during a 25% off promotion, bringing it down to just £7.50.
A postscript: if you glance at online reviews, you’ll notice they are polarising, either glowing like mine or extremely negative. I believe this disparity might be due to some bottles suffering from light strike, which can occur in just a few days when under bright lighting. This wine should be excellent, so if you come across a poor bottle, don’t hesitate to take it back for a refund and try purchasing another time or from another store.
