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Château des Marres, Côtes de Provence “Prestige” Rosé

Provence, France 2018 (750mL)
$24.00
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Château des Marres, Côtes de Provence “Prestige” Rosé

Six months ago, a sample of today’s “Prestige” Côtes de Provence Rosé was specially bottled for us and hand-delivered by their importer, who then pulled the cork and poured me a glass. Tasting it prompted me to look them in the eyes and simply ask “how much can we get?” It wasn’t much, but after a few months, a small batch was sent stateside, exclusively for SommSelect. After allowing it to rest two additional months upon arrival, we all tasted the final product and were stunned, nearly overwhelmed, by how much pleasure it brought for the low price.
Some of you may have noticed a lack of 2018 Provence offers this summer, and I assure you that isn’t by accident: Our selection process for these salmon-pink gems has become stricter than ever, but when one explodes with the classic interplay of crushed minerals, piquant fruit, and supple texture, it must be showcased. For those who want to be instantly transported to the turquoise waters of southern France, Château des Marres’ “Prestige” is a one-way ticket to that sun-drenched Shangri-La. Organically farmed and handpicked by the family who owns it, followed by classic winemaking in the cellar, makes for the feature rosé of 2019. You can’t find this anywhere else, and at this price-to-quality, it’s time to scoop up a case and reach for bottle after pleasurable bottle. You would be hard-pressed to find a better choice!
Château des Marres and their organically farmed vines are within miles of the ocean and a five-minute drive to the world-famous beaches of Saint-Tropez. Sounds like the ideal lifestyle, doesn’t it? Wake up, jog through your vines—all of which are farmed without a drop of any chemicals or synthetics—and then relax on the beach. That’s a snapshot into a day in the life of winemaker René Gartich and family. Of course, it’s not all this glamorous, but when provençal rosé is the discussion, it’s what you want to believe!

In reality, farming 27 hectares of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah organically in a Mediterranean climate is no easy task, especially with excessively hot temperatures. But with sand, clay, and schist soils, along with a constant cooling breeze flowing up from the sea, these grapes have learned to thrive here. Further, their small team constantly aerates the soils and allows garrigue (the natural herbs and flowers of the region) to grow at will, which further enhances their harmonious ecosystem. So, upon harvesting their crop by hand, the grapes have all the benefits of a balanced and favorable growing year. 

Only the first press—the liquid that has been mostly gently pressed—qualifies for their “Prestige” bottling, and after a brief cold maceration in tank, the juice undergoes a temperature-controlled fermentation. Following, it continues aging on its lees in tank for several months before being funneled directly into bottle after a light filtration. The wine’s brilliant salmon-pink core shimmers with silver hues and emits beautiful, high-toned aromas of wild strawberries, crushed raspberries, citrus blossoms, white melon, Asian pear, white peach skin, garrigue, crushed minerals, and a blend of rose petals and herbs. It’s creamy, intensely flavored, and bursting with vibrant energy that electrifies each toothsome layer. How someone can dislike this rosé is beyond me. Just serve it chilled, around 50 degrees, and make sure the sun is shining. Though I typically enjoy mine as a solo act by any cool body of water, there are limitless food options when drinking rosé. However, Château des Marres’ 2018 “Prestige” has a voluptuous side so I think a main course of roasted sea bass provençale would be a brilliant pairing. Cheers!

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Country
France
Region
Provence
Sub-Region
FranceCôtes de Provence
Soil
Sandy Clay, Schist
Farming
Organic
Blend
Grenache 60%, Cinsault 35%, Syrah 5%
Alcohol
13.5
TEMP.
50
Glassware
All-Purpose Stem
Drinking
Now-2021
Pairing
Roasted Sea Bass Provençale

France

Bourgogne

Beaujolais

Enjoying the greatest wines of Beaujolais starts, as it usually does, with the lay of the land. In Beaujolais, 10 localities have been given their own AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) designation. They are: Saint Amour; Juliénas; Chénas; Moulin-à Vent; Fleurie; Chiroubles; Morgon; Régnié; Côte de Brouilly; and Brouilly.

Southwestern France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux surrounds two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, which intersect north of the city of Bordeaux to form the Gironde Estuary, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is at the 45th parallel (California’s Napa Valley is at the38th), with a mild, Atlantic-influenced climate enabling the maturation of late-ripening varieties.

Central France

Loire Valley

The Loire is France’s longest river (634 miles), originating in the southerly Cévennes Mountains, flowing north towards Paris, then curving westward and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes. The Loire and its tributaries cover a huge swath of central France, with most of the wine appellations on an east-west stretch at47 degrees north (the same latitude as Burgundy).

Northeastern France

Alsace

Alsace, in Northeastern France, is one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, with vineyards running from the foothills of theVosges Mountains down to the Rhine River Valley below.

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