Profile: Whispering Angel rosé
You've probably heard of it, but how much do you know about this well-known rosé wine?
Whispering Angel rosé: Quick facts
- Made by: Château d’Esclans
- Production: 360,000 cases*
- Key grapes: Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre
*Average, based on d’Esclans figures 2017
Whispering Angel rosé is made by Château d’Esclans and owned by Sacha Lichine, Jane Anson interviewed in 2018 to talk about the history of the estate and his own move from Bordeaux claret to Provence rosé.
The estate produces several other rosé wines, in the classic, pale Provence style. These include Garrus, Les Clans, Rock Angel, and The Palm by Whispering Angel.
At the end of 2019, LVMH bought a controlling stake in Chateau d’Esclans, with Lichine retaining the other 45%.
Garrus is the most expensive of the range – and Jane Anson notes Lichine’s ambition in wanting to ‘create the world’s most expensive rosé.’
Lichine, originally comes from a Margaux winemaking family at previous owners of Château Prieuré Lichine.
Around 90% of d’Esclans wines are exported, and Lichine’s style has proved particularly popular in a US market where the paler, Provençal style of rosé has seen a boom in demand in recent years.
Production of Whispering Angel for the 2016 vintage was expected to rise as high as 4.6 million bottles, according to Anson.
D’Esclans said that research group Nielsen has ranked Whispering Angel as the best-selling rosé wine in the US. Partly for this reason, it is a brand that is often lauded for ‘redefining rosé’.
It tends to be made from a blend of Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
Anson described the most recent vintage of Whispering Angel as ‘ a little more grown-up than most other rosés in this price bracket.’
In 2016, Whispering Angel was even used by a confectionery brand to produce rosé-infused gummy bears.
Look out for our Provence rosé tasting in the September issue of Decanter.
Buy Whispering Angel rosé
Tasting Whispering Angel rosé
Château d'Esclans, Whispering Angel, Côtes de Provence, Provence, France, 2019
86
Crème fraiche and dried cranberries with a rounded texture and zippy acidity.
2019
Château d'EsclansCôtes de Provence
Château d'Esclans, Rock Angel Rosé by Whispering Angel, Provence, France, 2019
91
From one of the most well-known rosé brands around the world, Rock Angel is the bigger, more intense and nuanced brother to Whispering Angel. Pale blush pink in colour, this is lively and refreshing with the depth and structure to pair well with food. A blend of Grenache and Vermentino, this offers white flower and raspberry notes on the nose and a blend of apple, pink grapefruit and summer berries on the palate. One to try if you like the other wines in the stable.
2019
Château d'Esclans
Château d'Esclans, The Beach by Whispering Angel, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Provence, France, 2020
89
An approachable but still serious introduction to the range of rosés from Chateau d'Esclans. The nose is quite complex, with a fruit versus savoury character going on. The flavour profile isn't that far off a white wine, with white peach, lemons, limes, blossom and elderflower showing through. The cherry-led finish gives away it's pink nature.
2020
Château d'EsclansCoteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
