Le Grand Cros
Le Grand Cros is first a story about a couple, Jane and Hugh Faulkner, who fell in love with a little corner of Provence in 1989. On the 24 hectares of vineyards in the foothills of the Massif des Maures, surrounded by pine and olive trees and dry stone terraces, they restored an ancient Provencal manor house and brought a new lease of life to Le Grand Cros.
In 1999, their son Julian joined them to take over the reins and carried out major restructuring of the vineyards and upgrade of the winery. This enabled him to better respect the great potential of the terroir and the environment. 2019 Vintage The 2019 vintage began with a warm and pleasant winter that lead to an early spring followed by a warm and very dry summer. This impeded the normal ripening of the grapes but with patience we waited for them to achieve optimal ripeness. Small yields but great potential. Le Grand Cros, L’Esprit de Provence, Côtes de Provence 2019 Wine Review: the best summer rosé to buy in the UK now! Extremely pale, with notes of Mediterranean herbs, this has a gentle texture coupled with a pleasing savouriness and zesty acidity. A high-quality rosé made by the Faulkners in Provence. Will Lyons, The Sunday Times, 10th May 2020 Pungent and zesty up front, the 2019 Cotes de Provence Rose l'Esprit de Provence settles down quickly to deliver ripe melon, stone fruit and citrus notes tinged with just enough red berries. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, it's medium-bodied and generous on the palate, finishing with lingering citrus and spice. 90 Points, Wine Advocate, Joe Czerwinski, May 2020 L'Esprit is a silky, diaphanous wine with more depth of flavour than you might expect after the first sip or two. It plays a rather clever game of deception with your senses, initially seeming demure and ephemeral, but this innocence hides a much more determined shapeshifter beneath the calm surface. The fruit here is bright, clean, fit and gleamingly pure and this brings with it terrific depth and length. For a fresh, light rosé, this is a serious creation. It is great value, too, at a few quid cheaper than Whispering Angel, so I would certainly give it a whirl if you are a wine savvy, but also a rather thirsty type. Matthew Jukes, 13th May 2020 |
Aurelia
Originally launched with a 2015 vintage, Aurélia was created to showcase the very best of the terroir at Le Grand Cros and to offer discerning wine lovers a fuller-bodied, more structured and altogether more serious take on the region’s classically light rosé.
The first vintage was such a success that it was immediately followed by a 2016 release, such was the quality of the 2016 vintage – he only produces it in good vintages. Now, with the 2019, he is releasing his third vintage. The 2015 was a blend of 80% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache. The 2019 is 40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, and 30% Syrah. The blend will always reflect the unique qualities of the vintage. A limited production of 6,000 bottles per year will be produced with only 600 allocated to the UK. “This is a blend of mostly Grenache augmented with Syrah, Rolle and Cinsault. It is a stunner with all the subtle, fine lines and red-berry fruit you expect, but with an extra hit of exotic, succulent fruit.” The Telegraph “Rounded and soft, this rich rosé is fruity while also perfumed. The blending of Syrah in the mix gives the wine a sense of power and concentration, making it an adequate partner at the dinner table.” 91 points Wine Enthusiast “This elite Provencal rosé has a long, dry finish. So many rosés taste confected but this one is calm and composed with discreet red berry fruit and goes with every single recipe.” Matthew Jukes, Daily Mail |
L'Esprit de Provence RoséGrenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Rolle.
In the heart of Provence, the Faulkner family nurtures their vines on hills that benefit from a unique microclimate and favour hand-picking, optimal expression of the “terroir” and environmentally sustainable farming. Dry and fruity, this rosé will seduce you with its tender, elegant and fresh spirit. A litchi pink with peachy reflections. Nose is elegant and very complex: white peaches, mango, hawthorn blossom then pink peppercorn, dry apricot and thyme. Very classy. The attack is fresh with volume and the fruit fills the mouth. This rosé is complex with a delightful long lingering aftertaste showing great fruit ripeness. |
La Maitresse
Grenache, Syrah, Chardonnay.
Sparkling Rosé - Traditional method, Launched in 2002, La Maîtresse became an instant success flaunting the tasty fruity character of youthful Provencal rosés rather than the somewhat stayed style found in the more traditional regions for sparkling wines. An apricot pink colour. An exuberant nose of toasted sweet spices and jammy fruit. The mouth offers body and character and the bubbles lift up the jammy fruit and brioche finish. |
La Rivale
Mourvèdre and Cinsault.
Sparkling Rosé - Charmat method, This recent competition to the very popular “La Maitresse”, seduces thanks to its fresh and delicate qualities. A salmon pink colour. A fine nose with fresh fruit (apricot cherry) and a touch of brioche. The mouth offers lovely freshness with the aromas from the nose: apricot and cherry. The bubbles are fine, delicate and persistent. |