Located at the prestigious Muelle de Honor next to the Puerto Banús Control Tower, the most exclusive new hotspot in Marbella’s recreational marina is the 1970 Yacht Club. It offers its members and visitors a unique selection of wines and champagnes that reflect the sophistication and luxury characterizing this internationally renowned nautical and tourist destination. The club’s wine list is designed to satisfy the most refined tastes, combining world-renowned labels with high-quality options in every category of this oenological menu that will leave no one indifferent.

The rosé wine list features refined options from the best regions of France. Whispering Angel (is a) notable selection that capture(s) the essence of Provence being ideal for those seeking a refreshing and sophisticated experience.

Château d’Esclans, Home of Whispering Angel and Garrus Rosé Wines, in Provence, France Château d’Esclans

Patrick’s first creation was Château d’Esclans, an elegant and complex wine with notes of white peach, honey dew, guava and hints of lavender, which retails today for $60 per bottle. It is produced with 30-35 year old grape vines, and is 50% fermented in large neutral oak barrels. Given that 99% of rosé wine made in the world is fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks, this was revolutionary.

“It is a beautiful wine, but at that time, the market was not yet ready to accept a rosé wine at that price point,” stated Paul. So they decided to create a more approachable, classic style of rosé wine, and that is how Whispering Angel was born.

Whispering Angel is made from younger Provence grape vines and is 100% fermented in stainless steel, which gives it a fresh floral note with red berry on the palate and a smooth round finish. Priced around $18 per bottle when it first entered the market, it has grown to be the best selling rosé wine in the U.S. market, with a suggested retail price point today of $25 per bottle.

“Sacha named it ‘Whispering Angel,’ because there is a chapel at the Château d’Esclans with two angels above the alter, and it looks like they are whispering to one another,” explained Paul.

But still – even though it is hard to believe today – it was difficult to sell Whispering Angel when the brand was first introduced. “We had to hit the road and call on accounts with samples for people to taste. We mainly focused on restaurants, because wine shops wouldn’t accept us. However, once people tasted the wine, it started to sell very successfully,” reported Paul.

So with the success of Whispering Angel, the original estate rosé wine, Château d’Esclans, started to receive more attention. And then a few years later, Sacha introduced two more luxury priced wines – Les Clans at $95 per bottle and Garrus at $125 per bottle.

Today, the Château d’Esclans portfolio has added three more rosé wines, for a total of seven. The Beach ($18) is designed to be the ‘little sister’ of Whispering Angel, whereas Rock Angel ($35) is the more muscular ‘older sister.’ As the entry-level wine in the portfolio, The Pale ($15) is designed to be a crisp, refreshing, lighter style of rosé.

The Porfolio of Rosé Wines from Château d’Esclans in Provence, France (The Pale not shown) Château d’Esclans

So how well has the portfolio of seven rosé wines performed? Admirably, if judging by the numbers. Sacha, Paul, and the rest of the team were able to grow the estate from 135,000 to 12 million bottles per year. The wines are now sold in over 100 countries, and in 2019, LVMH acquired 55% of Château d’Esclans, with Sacha retaining 45%. Though the price was not revealed, the deal was estimated at €140 million.

Food Pairings for the Seven Styles of Château d’Esclans Rosé Wine

“Because it is not legal to add sugar to wine in Provence, all of our rosés are dry, which makes them very versatile when it comes to food,” reported Paul. “Though the wines do not pair with sweets and chocolates, because they have no sugar, they are wonderful with food, or on their own. What’s great about rosé is that it starts like a white wine and finishes like a red.”

All of the Château d’Esclans wines are produced from the approved rosé grapes of Provence, which include Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino) and Syrah. The more expensive wines are sourced from older vineyards in special locations.

Following are some of the recommendations for food pairings with the portfolio of the seven styles of Château d’Esclans rosé wines, beginning with the least to most expensive:

1. The Pale ($15) – A very pale rosé, with a light refreshing style. Notes of citrus, strawberries and floral. Pairs well with potato chips, barbecued foods, light cheeses, and summer salads.

2. The Beach ($18) – a more fruit-forward playful rosé, designed to be enjoyed at the beach, picnics, and other outdoor settings. This ‘little sister of Whispering Angel,’ exudes notes of red berry and peach, with a smooth, easy drinking finish. (Formerly called The Palm). Pairs well with fresh fruit, pizza, salads, grilled veggies and fried chicken.

3. Whispering Angel ($25.00) – as the most popular rosé wine in the world, Whispering Angel entices with an exotic floral nose of white flowers and strawberries. On the palate it opens to watermelon, nectarine, and mixed berries. With its elegant and smooth palate, it pairs well with diverse and spicy cuisines, including Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and Middle Eastern. It is excellent with a Charcuterie board filled with meats, cheeses, olives, and French bread.

Whispering Angel Rosé Pairs Very Well with Chacuterie Château d’Esclans

4. Rock Angel ($35.00) – a bigger, bolder rosé, this ‘older sister of Whispering Angel,’ explodes with red peach, melon, raspberries and spice. Aged partially in oak, it has a more structured yet creamy mouthfeel. It pairs especially well with seafood, including oysters, grilled mahi mahi with asparagus, smoked salmon, and seafood pasta.

5. Château d’Esclans ($60.00) – the original classic wine of the portfolio, all the grapes are estate grown at the chateau, and fermented in 50% large neutral barrels. It is a medium-bodied elegant wine with floral notes followed by fresh, red berry fruit, nectarine and passionfruit, with a very long complex finish. It can stand up to stronger dishes, such as beef carpaccio, grilled chicken with lemon risotto, ratatouille, egg dishes, and complex cheeses.

6. Les Clans ($95.00) – A very exotic full-bodied rosé made in limited quantities from 50 to 55 year old vines, and fermented 100% in barrel, with 11 months oak aging. This very complex wine boasts red berries and pineapple notes, but also exhibits ginger, anise, and hazelnuts. With its structured complexity, it pairs well with grilled lobster in a cream sauce, tuna tartare, baked chicken, and even steak au poivre.

7. Garrus ($125.00) – Considered to be one of the most expensive rosés in the world, Garrus is a collector’s item, with only 50 barrels produced each year. The grapes are sourced from 90 to 100 year old high-elevation vineyards, with rocky limestone soils. Also fermented 100% in oak barrels and aged 11 months, it undergoes batonnage to create a more structured, yet creamy mouthfeel. With complex litchi, pear, dried pineapple and a hint of lavender, this rosé is designed to age in cellar for years, where it takes on more nutty notes and a lighter color over time.

“I enjoy having Garrus with beef fillet with foie gras on top, or steak with a mushroom sauce,” reported Paul. Other options include lamb chops, duck, goose and hard aged cheeses.

“Garrus is a Roman name, and is the local name for ‘hill of bears,’ because in the past there were bears that roamed the hillsides where the vineyards are planted,” explained Paul.

Paul Chevalier, Vice President Château d’Esclans at Moët Hennessy USA Château d’Esclans

What Does the Future Hold for Château d’Esclans?

With seven rosé wines in its portfolio, many people wonder what is next for Château d’Esclans.

“Our main goal is to continue the premiumization of the rosé category, and to promote Provence as a category and region,” stated Paul. “Though 65% of our sales happen in the summer, we are now seeing rosé as quite popular at Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, and après sports, such as golf and tennis. It has become quite cool to drink rosé now after skiing.”

The company is also focusing more on sustainability, and is experimenting with lower-weight glass bottles to lower their carbon footprint, as well as alternative closures.

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And we are exploring new ways to interact with consumers. This year we became the first winery in the world to auction a barrel of rosé (Garrus) through NFTs,” he concluded.

Indeed, the company has partnered with BlockBar to sell the barrel to four owners, who can then have the wine bottled in their preferred format. The advantage to collectors is that the NFT digital certificates ensure provenance and authenticity – perhaps ushering in a new era of wine auctions.