I was invited to a small tasting session recently at Bistro 84 in Almancil to try what is almost definitely the most expensive and arguably (to quote Jancis Robinson) the best rosé wine in the world.
Priced at around €100 a bottle, this is for very serious connoisseurs or for a rather special gift. And Jancis Robinson is not alone – comments from leading wine critics around the world have been equally favourable, the general consensus being that this wine takes rosé to an altogether different place.
Château D’Esclans, the Provence producer in question, is rightly famous for the superb Whispering Angel Rosé that is actually pink (available at Apolónia for around €20), and I had no doubt that I was trying something very special.
To taste this wine is an experience; it is at first so delicate and subtle on the nose, opening up as the temperature rises in the glass to reveal surprise after surprise.
It is remarkably smooth in the mouth. I was told it is partially oak-fermented but there is nothing to give this away and the finish is nicely summed up by wine critic James Suckling; “lasts a long time on the palate and takes off on the finish”. I was still enjoying the aftertaste whilst driving home a good 10 minutes later.
Promotional price at Apolónia supermarket (valid from Thursday March 6 to Wednesday March 12)
GARRUS ROSÉ 2010: €79.95
(retail price €99.99)
By By PATRICK STUART patrick.stuart@open-media.net
Garrus “World’s best rosé”
