Stockist/Retailer: finewinedirect.co.uk

(2025) From a family property now in the hands of the fourth generation, this is 85% Merlot plus Cabernet Franc and comes from vineyards on sand, clay, limestone and gravel. Dark, meaty, plummy and spicy, it's a warming and wintery red, the fruitcake richness of the aromas leading through to the palate, where bold tannins and a grip of acidity are just softened by both its age at eight years old, and presumably some time in barrels. It's not hugely long, but it is authentic and tasty for sure.

(2025) The original 'super Tuscans', Tignanello, broke the mould as it contained some Bordeaux varieties as well as local hero Sangiovese, and it was matured in small French oak barriques, just like the top wines of Bordeaux. The 2022 is a blend of 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. It is a pretty, medium-weight vintage, deliciously drinkable now but with a decade plus of cellaring potential surely. The nose is lifted by violet and kirsch over plush and ripe black berries, a fine wreath of cedar and tobacco beneath. Taut on the palate in its youth, there is an ash and liquorice firmness to the tannins, but the mid-palate concentration and supple sweetness of fruit leaves no room for doubt that it is a wine with great potential. Hints of bitter cocoa and tobacco add complexity in the long finish, which has fine acid balance.

(2025) I have to say I always enjoy this big brother to the Whispering Angel, Rock Angel made from estate-grown fruit at Chateau d'Esclans (Grenache and Rolle), and partly barrel-fermented. That adds no perceptible 'oaky' quality beyond a slight creaminess to the aromas that are otherwise of ripe but keen red berries and hint of peach. In the mouth it is pleasingly fruity - plenty of buoyant, ripe and quite fleshy fruit - but there is some structure here. Acidity is defined, and there's a hint of spicy tannin, perhaps from the fruit, perhaps from the barrel, but adding a pleasing edge of chalky grip to the otherwise summer flavours. Rather good once again.

(2025) At time of review deals on the big brother to this wine, Whispering Angel itself, actually brought them in at the same price and for me there's no contest that whilst this is very pleasant, it's a step or two down. From Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence it is pale and refined with a rose petal and bob-bon character, moving on to a palate that is balanced but a little dilute compared to the concentration of the very good Whispering Angel 2024.

(2025) The La Coste estate is a must-see if visiting the Aix-en-Provence area, for the outstanding art and architecture spread throughout its vineyards. I haven't always been so impressed by the wines I confess. This blend of organic certified Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah has a pleasant sense of creaminess and almondy richness to summer berry fruit. Fruity and pleasant on the mid-palate, I find a just marginally cloying character in the finish - I am not sure if there is significant sugar, but it just lacks ultimate freshness whilst being perfectly quaffable.

(2025) Like the first cuckoo of Spring, here we have the latest vintage of global sensation, the Whispering Angel Rosé. A massive brand, especially since LVMH took a controlling share, it is the usual blend of old vine Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle, made in stainless-steel with lees-stirring - but no oak. The nose has that attractive melange of rose-hip, gently floral character and plenty of small red berries butting up against fresh lemon. A little hint of pear-drop from its recent fermentation easily blows off to leave attractive, precise aromas. In the mouth it has the typical balance of succulence and a intensity with great freshness. It is dry, appetising, and remains a leading example of the Provençal style. Watch the video for more information.

(2025) The organic vineyards from which this wine's fruit is sourced sit at over 700 metres altitude. A little Carménère is in the blend, the wine aged fourteen months in French oak. Smooth and elegant on the nose, with density and a cedary character, some characteristic leafiness in the background. Having said that, this has 14.5% alcohol and onto the palate the sweet, all-encompassing succulence and ripeness of black fruit is what drives this; it is chocolaty and dense, and far from Cab Franc's greener side. Tannins are sumptuous, a cherry note of sour and acidity works beautifully, in a long and fleshy wine that walks a nice line between hedonism and elegance.

(2024) The massively popular Whispering Angel from Cave d'Esclans is a global phenomenon, but it is just one of several premium rosés made by this Provence-based producer. Majority  owned by LVMH, the range includes both estate wines and wines made from fruit sourced from local growers.

Though their £100 per bottle Garrus is a game-changer for the rosé sector (latest vintage to be reviewed soon), I always think this, the first of the range made from estate-grown fruit, is where Esclans moves into more serious fine wine territory.

The Château d’Esclans is a blend of Grenache and Rolle, fermented in a combination of steel and 600-litre oak barrels. Pale and peachy pink, the creaminess and very gentle sheen of oatmeal from the barrels adds a luxurious touch to the pert stone fruit and hint of redcurrant. The palate too has texture and creamy weight, and while filled with supple and smooth fruit, there's a bit of grip here and no shortage of balancing acidity. It's a rosé that doesn't want to be over-chilled, and will match mildly spicy foods as well as salmon or trout. Note that at time of writing, North & South Wines has this on sale by the six-bottle case, bring the per bottle equivalent close to £30.

(2024) A well-regarded Cru Bourgeois located between St Julien and Margaux, Beaumont's 2016 is more or less equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with 9% Petit Verdot. Youthful in appearance, notes of blackcurrant, plum, game and cedar are classically framed, spice and tapenade/herbal notes too. In the mouth the fruit is surprisngly ripe, sweet and fleshy, rippling blackcurrant moving into a spicy finish with a bit of dark cocoa and a pert cherry skin bite to the acidity. Watch my video review for more information.

(2024) 'Tall poppy syndrome' refers to the tendency for some people to cut successful entities 'down to size'. There's no doubt that the mega-brand of Whispering Angel suffers from that; some commentators claiming it is over-priced and intrinsically 'nothing special.' Having tasted the wine vintage after vintage for most of its 18 year history, I disagree and the 2023 is as good, if not better, than ever. Blended from old vine Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle, it's made in stainless-steel with lees-stirring. The peachy-pink colour heralds such an attractive nose, with watermelon and small red berries, passion fruit and downy peach skins. Dry but delightfully peachy and fresh, a hint of strawberry and then confit lemon is buoyant and rounded. That texture and fruit is extended by perfectly balanced acidity. Watch the video for more information.