Château Sainte Marguerite Esprit Rosé 2013 Côtes de Provence, Provence, France 75cl

Esprit is a cuvee from Château Sainte Marguerite, a family-owned organic estate at La Londe-les-Maures on the Provence coast, one of the small group of classified Cru Classe properties in the Côtes de Provence.

This is rosé in the pale, dry Provençal style the estate is known for, made with the precision and freshness that comes from vineyards farmed organically and set close to the moderating influence of the sea. It is the more approachable, everyday face of a respected address.

The 2013 vintage is now well aged for a wine of this kind. Provence rosé is built for early drinking, so a bottle of this age should be approached as a mature curiosity, likely showing softer, more evolved character rather than the crisp bite of its youth.

Expect a pale glass with delicate red fruit and citrus at its core, now mellowed and gentle, with a dry, quiet finish. Serve it well chilled and drink it soon.

For those who enjoy pale, dry Provence rosé and are curious to see how one has aged, this is an easy-going glass from a serious coastal estate.