Tasting Notes
Château La Mascaronne was sold in 2019 to second growth Bordeaux estate, Cos d’Estournel, who were convinced by the potential of La Mascaronne especially following the restoration carried out in the vineyard by previous owner, Tom Bove, for 20 years. 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 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 have promised not to make too many changes (though the 2020 vintage has new labelling).
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."
It took a lot of tasting to find the perfect Provence rosé wine with attitude. This is pure Provence, a blend of 40% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 20% Syrah. 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. Named Quat' Saisons or Four Seasons, this is a rosé for drinking all year round.
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
"Beautiful pale colour yet with intense nose of peach and lemon with large depth of flavour and remarkably long finish."
Awards
92 points RobertParker.com May 2020 "Ultra pale and coppery-hued, La Mascaronne's certified-organic 2019 Cotes de Provence Rose Quat'Saisons is a blend of Cinsault and Grenache. Like previous vintages, it starts with notes of crushed stone and citrus, then adds the merest hints of red fruit. It's medium-bodied but focused and streamlined, coming to an elongated, mouthwatering, complex finish that adds peach, melon and anise to the mix.”
RobertParker.com Apr 2019 "This organic producer clearly merits more attention.”
