Producer
Since acquiring this Provençal estate in 2006, Sacha Lichine has achieved his vision of transforming the perception of rosé from being a simple summer thirst-quencher to a serious wine, capable of commanding a serious price – a hugely impressive feat in such a short space of time. The négociant bottling, Whispering Angel, has led the charge, becoming a global icon in the process, but by applying fine-winemaking techniques to the super-premium Les Clans and Garrus cuvées, he has created a pair of complex and age-worthy wines that have redefined the category.
Vineyard
The grapes come from several top vineyards in the region of La Motte en Provence, with classic chalky-clay soils and southerly exposure. Harvesting only took place between sunrise and noon to avoid picking in the hottest part of the day.
Winery
The grapes were sorted three times, both electronically and manually, before destemming and a light crushing at 7-8ºC. The free-run and direct-pressed juice fractions were both vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, and there was twice-weekly batonnage before bottling in the December following the harvest.
