Cellar Profile
Situated in one of the most beautiful places on earth, just a few miles from St. Tropez on the French Mediterranean, Château Les Valentines is located inside the Côtes de Provence La Londe AOC, considered the “Grand Cru” site for rosé wine in France. Close proximity to the ocean mitigates the hot summer days, as does the Mistral wind that comes howling down from the Rhône to empty out into the ocean. This allows the grapes to retain their acidity while still ripening the Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah that form the backbone of Les Valentines’ gutsy reds and beautifully-structured rosés. The winery also produces fresh whites from Ugni Blanc, Clairette and aromatic Vermentino. There are few regions that take their rosé wines as seriously as Provence does. These are from low-yielding vineyards earmarked specifically for optimal rosé wine, not simply bled off vats of red wine. The quintessential summer sipper, but with more than enough weight and character to be enjoyed all year round. Château Les Valentines has vineyards that have been growing grapes for over a century. They sold their harvest to a local cooperative before finally opening their own winery in 1997. Since then, their wines have accrued international recognition and are served in some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the world. These extremely small-batch wines come with tremendous pedigree, but are incredibly affordable as well! Gorgeously-styled bottles make a stunning presentation, but the wine inside more than delivers.
Region
La Londe is a tiny sub appellation of the Côtes de Provence, the core appellation of the Provence wine region in the far southeast of France. Similar to other areas of Provence, 75% of La Loaned wine is rosé, with the remainder being entirely red. White wines produced in the area are sold under the general Côtes de Provence title. Located on the Mediterranean coast just east of Toulon, the La Loaned vineyards are spread between the communes of Hayers and La Londe-les Mares itself, as well as some specific areas of Bormes-les-Mimosas and La Car. The best sites are situated on the southeast facing slopes of the southern Massif des Mares hills. Wine has been made here for over 2600 years, making Provence the oldest wine producing region of France.
Vineyard
In La Londe-les-Maures, on the coast between Toulon and St. Trapeze, in the Côtes de Provence wine region, Château Les Valentines extends over 50 hectares of schist where grapevines, pine forests and garrigue scrubland enjoy full southern exposure. Wines are made with estate grown fruit from 40 year old vines. The old, deep-rooted vines allow the plants to grow exceptional, concentrated fruit in ideal conditions balanced by the cool Mistral winds. La AOC is considered the “Grand Cru” site for rosé wine in France.
Winemaking
Cold skin maceration. Fermentation controlled at 18°C. Filtration before bottling.
Varieties
Cineast – Grenache – Syrah – Mourvèdre is a blend of grape varieties commonly grown and blended in southern France. This classic combination is used to make the famous rosé wines of Provence, which display crisp, aromatic flavors of berry fruit and spice. The blend is also used to make some red wines, particularly in the appellations of the southern Rhône Valley and in the Languedoc-Roussillon area.
Tasting Notes
Pale salmon in the glass. The entry is bright and floral, which slowly calms to show fresh apricot fruit, nuts and cream on the palate. Complex and rich with balanced acidity.