Château D'Esclans, Rock Angel, 2024 - Magnum
Château D'Esclans, Rock Angel, 2024 - Magnum
- Rosé Still
- 150.0cl
- 13.5%
- Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault
Rock Angel sits in the middle of the Château d'Esclans pyramid — above Whispering Angel, below the single-vineyard cuvées — and it earns its place with ease. Made predominantly from Grenache with Rolle and Cinsault, it comes from older vines on the estate's schist-heavy soils and is vinified partly in barrel, which gives it a texture and presence that most Provence rosé simply doesn't attempt. It's serious without being solemn, and in magnum it has an extra year or two of graceful life.
The 2024 vintage in Provence was cool and long, producing rosés with superb freshness and definition. This one shows exactly that: pale copper-salmon in colour, precise and mineral on the nose, with white stone fruit and a saline drive on the palate that keeps things lively.
- ❖ ABV: 13.5%
Grapes
Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault
Vintage report
The 2024 growing season in Provence followed a familiar Mediterranean script with a few welcome plot twists. Spring arrived gently, giving the vines a steady start before summer settled into its rhythm of warm, dry days tempered by the Mistral's cooling influence. The key difference this year was the absence of extreme heat spikes that have plagued recent vintages, allowing the grapes to ripen at a more measured pace whilst retaining the bright acidity that makes Provence rosé so refreshing.
What emerged from the cellars shows all the hallmarks of classic Provence: Grenache with its strawberry brightness intact, Cinsault bringing delicate florals, and Syrah adding just enough structure without overwhelming the blend. The rosés we've tasted show that pale salmon colour we love, with flavours that dance rather than shout. Most 2024 Provence rosés are drinking beautifully right now and will continue to charm through next summer, though the better domaines have produced wines with enough backbone to reward patient drinkers into 2026.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale copper-salmon, bright and clear, with the kind of colour that signals careful pressing rather than rushed extraction.
NoseWhite peach and crushed strawberry sit alongside dried apricot and a faint floral lift. There's a stony, saline undercurrent that separates this from the crowd, and a subtle creaminess from the barrel work that ties everything together without announcing itself.
PalateFresh and focused, with citrus zest and white nectarine leading the way before the texture rounds out mid-palate. The Rolle brings a waxy weight and herbal edge, while the acidity stays lively enough to give real length. In magnum, it feels just that little bit more generous and composed.
FinishMineral and long, with a saline persistence and a whisper of almond that holds on satisfyingly.
Overall impressionThis is premium Provence rosé making a clear argument for being taken seriously at the table.
Food Pairings
In Provence, this is the kind of wine that appears at a long lunch with grilled sea bream, ratatouille still warm from the pan, and a basket of bread to mop up the juices. Locals would think nothing of pouring it alongside bouillabaisse or a platter of langoustines with aioli. Tapenade and socca from Nice — the chickpea flatbread crisped in olive oil — are natural partners too. And if there's a rotisserie chicken with herbs de Provence involved, all the better.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at around 10-12°C — cold enough to feel fresh but not so cold that the texture and mineral character are suppressed. No need to decant, but do give it a few minutes in the glass to open up, particularly in magnum. A large-bowled white wine glass works well here; it gives the nose room to express itself without letting the wine warm too fast.
The Esclans estate sits in the Var department inland from Saint-Tropez, in a sheltered valley where altitude and maritime influence combine to keep temperatures in check. The soils are dominated by schist and ancient granite, which drain freely and stress the vines just enough to concentrate flavour without sacrificing freshness. The Rock Angel vines are among the oldest on the property, and their deeper root systems draw more mineral character from the bedrock below. This combination of old vines, well-drained schist, and a cool valley microclimate is what separates Rock Angel from the estate's entry-level bottlings.
Côtes de Provence is France's largest rosé appellation, stretching across the Var and into Bouches-du-Rhône, with a near-singular focus on pale, dry pink wine. Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Tibouren, and Rolle are all permitted, and the best estates use a combination of cold fermentation and careful press work to achieve freshness without stripping character. The appellation covers a wide range of soils and microclimates, which means quality varies enormously, but the top producers — d'Esclans included — operate well above what the AOP minimum requires. Compared to neighbours like Bandol, Côtes de Provence rosé is lighter, earlier-drinking, and built around elegance rather than structure.
The 2024 growing season in Provence followed a familiar Mediterranean script with a few welcome plot twists. Spring arrived gently, giving the vines a steady start before summer settled into its rhythm of warm, dry days tempered by the Mistral's cooling influence. The key difference this year was the absence of extreme heat spikes that have plagued recent vintages, allowing the grapes to ripen at a more measured pace whilst retaining the bright acidity that makes Provence rosé so refreshing.
What emerged from the cellars shows all the hallmarks of classic Provence: Grenache with its strawberry brightness intact, Cinsault bringing delicate florals, and Syrah adding just enough structure without overwhelming the blend. The rosés we've tasted show that pale salmon colour we love, with flavours that dance rather than shout. Most 2024 Provence rosés are drinking beautifully right now and will continue to charm through next summer, though the better domaines have produced wines with enough backbone to reward patient drinkers into 2026.
FAQs
What does Rock Angel taste like?
It's precise and mineral rather than lush and fruity. Think white peach, crushed strawberry, and citrus zest, with a saline, stony edge and a creamy mid-palate from partial barrel ageing. It's Provence rosé with something to say.
How does Rock Angel differ from Whispering Angel?
Whispering Angel is the crowd-pleasing entry point — fresh, easy, and brilliant for what it is. Rock Angel is a step up in seriousness: older vines, more barrel influence, and more mineral depth. It's rosé worth sitting with rather than simply sipping.
When should I drink the 2024 magnum?
It's drinking well right now and will continue to do so until around 2028. The magnum format gives it a slight edge over the standard bottle in terms of longevity, but this is still a wine built for the near term. Don't sit on it too long.
What food works with Rock Angel?
This is a wine for the table, not just the terrace. Grilled fish, langoustines, ratatouille, bouillabaisse, or a classic roast chicken with herbs are all excellent matches. The mineral freshness handles rich seafood particularly well.
How should I serve it?
Around 10-12°C is ideal. Too cold and you lose the texture; too warm and the freshness fades. A large white wine glass gives the nose room to breathe. No decanting required, though a few minutes in the glass does no harm.
Is the magnum worth it over a standard bottle?
For a special occasion, absolutely. The larger format means slower, more even ageing, which translates to slightly better texture and composure at the table. It also makes a very strong impression poured at a dinner party.
Want to know more?
Discuss your requirements with our account managers, Jeremy & Jen
-
Personal Service
- Our team are always on hand to support you, taking orders online, by phone or email & responding to urgent requests.
- Our efficient warehouse & team of drivers always go the extra mile to deliver our wines to you.
- Our new, high-capacity warehouse ensures excellent availability of wines.
- Our new enterprise platform means hassle-free service, from inventory to billing.
-
Our Sales Team
Speak to one of our teamJeremy Cowan
After managing his own stores and a further stint in independent retail, Jeremy has dedicated 12 years to trade sales in the North West.
Jen Neilan
Twenty years in hospitality later, after curating the wine list for Manchester’s first Neapolitan pizza restaurant, and running a natural wine bar, Jen made the move to the other side of the table.