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Wine Tasting Adventure

2023 Château Beaulieu, `Cuvée Alexandre` Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé - Liberty

£19.49 GBP
£19.49 GBP

Owned by the Guénant family, Château Beaulieu is situated along the Mediterranean coast, near Rogne in Aix-en-Provence. The vineyards have been farmed since Roman times, and the Château was built in 1576 as a stronghold for King Henry III of France.

The estate’s 300 hectares of vines are planted at an elevation of 400 metres in the heart of an ancient volcanic crater, where the soils are a mix of basalt and clay. The sunny, dry Mediterranean climate ensures fully ripe grapes. At the same time, the sea breezes moderate the hot, drying influence of the Mistral wind that blows in from the North, giving the final wine its delicate freshness.

Château Beaulieu’s ‘Cuvée Alexandre’ is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is vinified similarly to white wine, with direct pressing of the juice and separating it immediately from the skins. Using the direct pressing method minimises the extraction of grippy phenolics and ensures a highly delicate expression with a beautiful pale pink hue. The wine is defined by notes of wild strawberry, redcurrant and juicy white peach. Rounded on the mid-palate, it has excellent levels of natural acidity, which lend themselves to a refreshing finish.

Situated a few kilometres from Aix-en-Provence and covering 300 hectares, the Château Beaulieu estate lies in the heart of Provence's only volcano at 400 metres above sea level. The site, which faces the renowned Provençal region of the Lubéron and overlooks the Durance Valley and the Roque d'Anthéron, is diverse and ideally suited to growing vines. The sunny, dry, Mediterranean climate provides ripe, fruit-driven wines. The sea breezes moderate the hot, drying influence of the Mistral, which blows from the north; this means that the vines are not stressed and produce grapes with excellent balance.

The 2023 vintage was full of contrasts in Provence, and as a result, meticulous and regular attention was needed in the vineyards. After a dry winter, the spring was particularly wet with episodes of hail, which caused some damage and resulted in a reduction in yields. Following the heavy rains, there were some problems with mildew before a hot and dry summer. The harvest began early on the 6th of September and although the quantity was slightly reduced, the quality of the grapes harvested was excellent.

The grapes were harvested at night, cold pressed and fermented at a low temperatures of around 14°C-18°C. Fermentation took place in the same way as a white wine (rather than using the 'saignée' method of drawing off part of a red wine early in the fermentation). This minimised the extraction of harsh phenolics from the skins, leading to a more delicate style of rosé.

Beautifully pale pink in colour. The nose displays delicate aromas of white flowers, citrus, juicy white peach and pear notes. On the palate, a zesty and fresh acidity combines beautifully with a distinctive citrus character, which provides an elegant mouthfeel and refreshing length.