The Pale 2024 Rosé By Sacha Lichine Chateau d'Esclans

The 2024 Château d’Esclans The Pale Rosé is an exercise in sophisticated restraint, offering bright crystalline fruit, coastal freshness, and a refined textural frame. Clean yet expressive, this Provence rosé strikes a graceful balance between delicacy and presence, making it both immediately approachable and worthy of thoughtful enjoyment.

Origins & Craftsmanship
From the renowned terroir of Provence in southeastern France, Château d’Esclans stands among the most influential producers of contemporary rosé. The Pale represents a refined expression within the Château’s portfolio, designed to showcase varietal purity and site clarity with subtle complexity.

The 2024 vintage is crafted from a blend of classic Provençal grapes—primarily Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle (Vermentino)—sourced from hillside vineyards with limestone and sandy soils that contribute brightness and minerality. Harvested early to preserve acidity and aromatic freshness, the grapes undergo gentle pressing and cool fermentation in stainless steel to capture pure fruit essence. Minimal skin contact ensures a pale hue and pristine clarity, while a touch of aging on fine lees adds texture without heaviness. This meticulous approach yields a rosé that is both nuanced and effortless, emblematic of contemporary Provence style.

Critics Reviews
Wine Enthusiast awards the 2024 The Pale Rosé 92 points, praising its “silky texture and precise fruit definition” with “white peach, saline minerality, and floral nuance.”
James Sucklingscores it 93 points, highlighting the wine’s “fresh strawberry, citrus blossom, and crisp acidity,” and noting that “the finish is long and elegantly balanced.”
Wine Spectator rates the release 91 points, commending its “refined profile and coastal vibrancy,” with particular attention to its “purity of fruit and seamless structure.” Critics consistently emphasize its combination of immediate charm and poised depth, positioning The Pale as a standout in the premium Provence rosé category.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Delicate and inviting, with aromas of wild strawberry, white peach, rose petal, and citrus zest, underscored by subtle saline and herbal notes.

Palate:
Light to medium-bodied and impeccably balanced, offering red berry and orchard fruit flavors framed by bright acidity and a whisper of minerality. Silky texture and fine focus give the wine energy without weight.

Finish:
Clean, refreshing, and lingering, with soft citrus peel and floral echoes that carry through with clarity and grace.

Quick Overview