Château de Saint Martin Cuvée Comtesse Rosé AOP Côtes de Provence 2021, 0,75 L

With the Eternelle Favorite, we already have Château de Saint Martin’s top-of-the-range wine in our range – but the Cuvée Comtesse is a step above that. This is the estate’s true prestige cuvée, made from grapes yielding a mere 25 hectolitres per hectare. Its appearance and quality are immediately reminiscent of the great rosés from renowned estates in Provence.

A cuvée made from Tibouren, Cinsault and Grenache, grown on loamy-sandy soils. Following a short maceration period of just three to four hours and pressing, the wine is aged for twelve months – half in buried tanks, half in oak barrels and, unusually, also in white mulberry wood barrels. This lends it its distinctive density and complexity.

The nose is wonderfully multi-layered: acacia honey, dried apricot and candied melon, accompanied by a delicate, almost woody note with intense jasmine and a second, subtle hint of peony.

On the palate, it displays wonderful tension, plenty of body and smoothness. Ripe summer fruits and compote-like flavours meet a lovely vanilla note from the oak ageing, with an impressively long finish featuring lime blossom.

A rosé with real character, which also makes a compelling accompaniment to food – such as turkey with chestnuts, truffle risotto, braised shoulder of lamb or poultry in a morel cream sauce. Served at 8–10 °C, this cuvée is at its very best.