Rosé VdF 2021 1500ml Magnum

A Provence rosé with drive, spice and a saline finish, bottled in magnum. Alône's rosés are not made for quick sipping, and this one shows why: fresh, but never unripe.

The estate lies in a former sand quarry in the Sainte-Baume Nature Park, at an altitude of 420 to 470 metres. The deep sand drains water rapidly and forces the roots down deep, while wooded hills shield the vines from cold winds. During the day the grapes build up sugar, while the cool nights preserve acidity. Christian Ott and Pascale Jourdan discovered the site in 2019, having been captivated by the centuries-old oak at the entrance, a promise to them of an exceptional soil.

68% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 7% Syrah, hand-picked and chilled to prevent oxidation. The whole grapes are pressed, and the juice is macerated to extract color and aromas. This is followed by parcel-by-parcel fermentation with indigenous yeasts, then ageing on fine lees in stainless steel tanks as well as in ceramic and porcelain spheres from Limoges. Pruning, leaf treatments and fertilization are guided by soil analyses, and in the cellar also by the lunar calendar.

Juicy and powerful. The fine fruit sweetness of peach and pale red berries meets piquant spice and lively acidity, joined by citrus fruit, honeydew melon and a hint of aniseed. The long finish stays saline.

Dishes with the intensity of Provence: crackers with green and black olive tapenade, grilled anchovies with olive oil, rosemary and thyme or a cassoulet-style bean stew.

The name plays on the Lône, the small stream next to the estate: add an "a" in front, and it becomes Alône, echoing the English word alone. The magnum is the bottle for special occasions and large gatherings.