Château D'Esclans

WHISPERING ANGEL

Crafted from a refined blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Rolle, Whispering Angel is produced using only the finest free-run and press juices. Fermented and aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, it reflects a precise and meticulous approach to winemaking.

In the glass, it reveals a pale, luminous hue. On the palate, it offers an expressive fruit profile, balanced by freshness and a silky, elegant finish. A rosé shaped with rigor and consistency, Whispering Angel has become a benchmark, regularly acclaimed by international critics.

HARVEST

Harvest at Château d’Esclans takes place each September, from sunrise until midday, in order to preserve the freshness of the fruit and avoid the heat of the day. Grapes are picked at optimal ripeness and carefully placed into small 10-kilogram crates, ensuring their integrity by preventing crushing under excess weight. For Whispering Angel and part of Rock Angel’s production, harvesting is also carried out mechanically at night, when temperatures are cooler, to further protect the quality and freshness of the grapes.

SORTING

Upon arrival at the cellar, the grapes undergo meticulous sorting. First by hand, then through an advanced optical sorting system, each berry is selected according to strict criteria defined by the winemaker—shape, size, color, and overall condition. Only perfectly intact and fully destemmed grapes are retained. Any fruit that does not meet these exacting standards is automatically rejected, ensuring absolute precision from the very first stage of vinification.

COOLING & PRESSING

The grapes are gently crushed to release their juice, then immediately cooled through a heat exchange system, reducing their temperature from up to 29°C down to 7–8°C. This rapid cooling preserves freshness, aromatic purity, and vibrancy. Pressing is carried out in a closed nitrogen circuit, preventing any oxidation. This delicate process yields three distinct qualities of juice, primarily from free-run extraction—each carefully monitored to maintain the highest level of precision and consistency.

BARRELS & VATS

Depending on the quality of the juice obtained, winemakers determine whether fermentation will take place in stainless steel vats or in barrels. The different fractions vary in terms of skin contact and intensity. This careful selection results in wines of remarkable clarity, with refined texture, delicate structure, and a signature pale color—hallmarks of the Château d’Esclans style.

WINE LAB

Throughout the winemaking process, rigorous laboratory analysis guides every decision. From determining the ideal harvest date to evaluating each individual juice, precision is paramount. Samples from barrels and vats are carefully tasted and assessed by the technical team, allowing them to identify the most promising components for the upcoming vintage. These observations form the foundation for the next stage: blending.

ASSEMBLAGE

The final stage is the assemblage—the art of blending. Guided by the insights gathered throughout the process, the Technical Director and Cellar Master define the final composition of each wine. While the proportions of grape varieties may vary from one vintage to another, the objective remains unchanged: to preserve a consistent style and signature taste profile, expressing both the identity of Château d’Esclans and the character of each harvest.