Tasting Notes
This is pure Provence rosé, a blend of Grenache 40%, Cinsaut 25%, Syrah 20% and Vermentino 15%. As you might expect from Côtes de Provence this wine is a beautiful very pale salmon colour but whilst it looks quite delicate, the aromas and flavours are fairly intense - stone fruits including mild peach and pear, citrus, grapefruit with some white raspberry and redcurrant tones with floral and mineral notes. The wine is crisp, very refreshing and round in the mouth with a long floral and stony dry finish.
Château La Mascaronne was sold in 2019 to Michael Reybier of second growth Bordeaux estate, Cos d’Estournel, as he was convinced by the potential of La Mascaronne especially following the restoration carried out in the vineyard by Tom Bove, the previous owner. Tom had managed and revitalised the estate since 1999, as well as Château Miraval selling that in 2012 to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. At La Mascaronne, Bove replanted vineyards and converted to organic farming – gaining certification in 2016. Only a short time after Tom took over the estate, winemaker Nathalie Longefay was producing award-winning wines including this wine which used to be known as Quat' Saisons or Four Seasons, a rosé for drinking all year round. In 2019 RobertParker.com said that La Mascaronne is an organic producer that "clearly merits more attention". Cos d’Estournel clearly thought so too and promised not to make too many changes - apart from a new look label and the Quat' Saisons name which is less prominent. In a recent development NBA star Tony Parker has invested in La Mascaronne.
With fully certified organic status La Mascaronne practises sustainability in all aspects of its vineyard management and winemaking processes and works with respect for the environment and balance of the ecosystem. "Long renowned for the quality of our wines due to the unique terroir - chalk/clay hills completely covered with small stones - and ideal climate, the recent major investment in wine making technology and viticulture is yielding wines of an exciting excellence."
Food Pairing
This is a great wine for drinking as an aperitif or with food; it is so versatile that it is easier to list the foods that you might want to avoid with this wine - butter based sauces, creamy sauces, curry, strong cheeses.
Producer's Notes
"Château La Mascaronne Rosé reveals the essence of the terroir from which it is produced. An exceptional rosé, it derives its quality not only from the grape varieties that comprise its blend but also from the soils on which the estate’s grapevines are planted. The Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Vermentino grapes, typical Provence varieties, are harvested at the height of ripeness.
When enjoyed young, Château La Mascaronne Rosé is delightful before or with a meal. But it is also marvelous after several years of aging, a more unusual feat for a rosé wine. The wine’s luminous pink hue makes it immediately identifiable as a Provence wine and is like a foretaste of the luscious, complex aromas of fresh, ripe fruit that it delivers.”
Awards
Wine of the week Matthew Jukes in Moneyweek May 2022
"A work of art from Provence. This wine soars above all others with its grace, refinement and impressively long finish... La Mascaronne is nothing short of a work of art in 2021. I tasted this beauty back in March, and it has been a rare form of torture waiting for stock to make it to the UK. In the intervening months, I have tasted hosts of 2021s, and this wine soars above all others with its grace, refinement and impressively long finish.
This wine’s endearing hallmark flavours are English rhubarb, pomegranate arils and delicate pink melon tones balanced by crystalline acidity. While I tend to single out grenache-dominant wines in my scribblings, La Mascaronne is made from 40% grenache, 25% cinsault, 20% syrah and 15% vermentino. This layering of ingredients brings the kaleidoscopic flavours found in this divine creation."
15 Superb Rosés to Sip This Summer Robb Report May 2022"Leading the lineup for Mascaronne is this beautifully ripe, Grenache-based rosé, which manages to be fresh and delicate for all of its lush fruit. Honeysuckle notes decorate macerated strawberries layered with melon, peach and pink grapefruit, with the barest hint of salinity. The generous fruit on the palate broadens, with cherry, apricot, Meyer lemon, and tangerine zest joining the party. Interesting textures fill the mouth, with a vein of minerality emerging on the finish."
91 points James Suckling Mar 2022
"It's medium-bodied with bright acidity and succulent layers of ripe fruit. Juicy and packed with flavor, yet fresh and elegant. From organically grown grapes."
90 points Wine Enthusiast Jan 2022
"The 150-acre estate, surrounded by olive and oak trees, has produced a delicate wine, both in color and its crisp fruit. Red currants and lively acidity are there is abundance, resulting in a fresh wine that is ready to drink. Organic."
