Rosé is not just for summer sipping. Honestly, if you find a delicious rosé why not enjoy it regardless of the season? Rosé pairs with lots of dishes and it’s generally fairly low in alcohol. Today we’re sipping a rosé from Provence that really will make you want to sip it year-round. It will pair with everything from salads to roasted chicken or pasta, not to mention appetizers. Or just sip it on its own. We received this wine as a tasting sample.
Provence is a famously reliable place to look for delicious rosé, as Château La Gordonne Chapelle Gordonne Rosé perfectly demonstrates. And a bottle of Chapelle Gordonne Rosé also comes with a long history. The La Gordonne estate in Pierrefeu-du-Var dates back to at least 1652 and before that winemaking dates way back to at least the 1st century BC, when the Romans moved into the region. Château La Gordonne was purchased by Paul François and Nathalie Vranken (Vranken Estates who also own Champagne Pommery and Domaine Royal de Jarras in Camargue) in 2005.
The 815 acres of vines are planted to Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Soil types include clay and limestones on the flats and shale slopes. The sloping vineyards face the sea.
Grapes are hand harvested at night to preserve aromas and freshness. The grapes are gently pressed and the best juice is used for the tête de cuvée wines. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at low temperatures and aging takes place in stainless steel barrels or lined concrete tanks. Wines are made in this way from individual blocks and then blended. According to Château La Gordonne all wines are made using organically grown grapes.
2024 Château La Gordonne Chapelle Gordonne Rosé, Tête de Cuvée, Côtes de Provence — delicate ballet slipper pink with generous aromas of roses, white flowers and ripe berries. Flavors include raspberries, strawberries and cherries along with citrus zest. Acidity is fresh and juicy and the wine finishes clean and dry. 12.5% abv. SRP $25
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, according to online wine shops, is extremely aromatic and pleasantly complex. So many rosé wines begin with a beautiful nose, only to be followed by a disappointing flavor profile. Not so with this rosé. It would pair with any of the food suggestions mentioned above, but it is so lovely to just sip and enjoy on its own that food really is optional.
The bell that appears on the label is a rendering of a bronze bell cast in 1654 from a former chapel on the La Gordonne estate. It has been declared a historical monument.
Thanks to IT Public Relations for organizing our tasting.
Cheers!
This sounds like a lovely Provençal rosé! It’s funny, I don’t recall the last time I had a rosé from Provence! That’s mostly because I’ve been on a “buy local” kick for some time now. Plus, when I have had samples they’ve been the weightier darker color Tavel style, which I also enjoy!
Cheers to you both!