Fresh in from the hills of Gigondas, the latest vintage of Rosé from cult Rhône producer Chêne Bleu has arrived on our shores – bringing some Southern French sunshine, after a rather middling May! June looks set to promise more, and we can't think of a better pink with which to welcome in the Summer.
Their widely-acclaimed rosé is a high altitude blend centred on old vines Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino) making up the balance. A little more red fruited than its paler 2019 sibling, the Rosé 2020 is aromatic, full but very bright and bursting with red berry fruit. Displaying more depth and nuance to it than the ubiquitous, and often rather bland, Provençal Rosés, this offers great intensity of flavour and complexity. There is a distinct silkiness enticing you in and softening the summer fruit, peppered strawberries and cream, but before it all gets too much a snappy freshness returns on the finish bringing the wine back into focus, to leave you wanting another sip. A rosé seductive enough to drink now, but sufficiently serious to age steadily and slowly over the next year.