2018 Domaine des Masques, Blanc 'Essentielle'
Regular price £19.60 Save £-19.60ABOUT THE WINE
An olive-grove since the time of the ancient Gauls, the plateau near Aix-en-Provence upon which Le Domaine des Masques rests was settled by the Knights Templar of the Order of Provence in the Middle Ages. Vines were first planted in 1992, and in 2003 the estate was bought by Carl and Sophie Mestdagh. The vineyards are tended according to organic principles, although the estate has not sought certification. With duties in the cellar overseen by the famous Rhône winemaker, Yves Cuilleron, the estate is in excellent hands, and producing exceptional wines.
TASTING NOTES
Harvested a little earlier than the Exception, to preserve the fresh fruit-character of the wine. Vinification is in sealed vats to limit exposure to oxygen. Delicate citrus, peach, apple and pear aromas; fresh yet full-bodied on the palate.
FOOD PAIRING
An excellent aperitif, also perfect with grilled fish. A lovely wine with a cold lunch-spread.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The reductive (oxygen-free) winemaking allows for the bare minimum of sulphur to be used in this wine.
2019 Domaine des Masques, Rouge Cuvee Essentielle
Regular price £19.60 Save £-19.60An olive-grove since the time of the ancient Gauls, the plateau near Aix-en-Provence upon which Le Domaine des Masques rests was settled by the Knights Templar of the Order of Provence in the Middle Ages. Vines were first planted in 1992, and in 2003 the estate was bought by Carl and Sophie Mestdagh. The vineyards are tended according to organic principles, although the estate has not sought certification. With duties in the cellar overseen by the famous Rhone winemaker, Yves Cuilleron, the estate is in excellent hands, and producing exceptional wines.
TASTING NOTES
Pressed gently to minimise extraction of tannins; 6 months in barrel prior to release. Fresh and spicy, with blackberry fruit and white-pepper spice aromas. Supple on the palate; very easy to enjoy.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal with cold-cuts; also a good choice for spare ribs.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Certified organic. Best enjoyed young, although this wine should age well until 2025.
2022 Chateau D`Esclans, Whispering Angel Provence Rose
Regular price £21.50 Save £-21.50ABOUT THE WINE
Château d’Esclans is located on an exceptional site, on elevated land near the Gorges de Pennafort, twenty-five kilometers northwest of the ancient Roman city of Frejus on the Mediterranean coast. Some 3.2 million bottles of Whispering Angel were sold in over 100 countries around the world in 2016; and the brand has gone from strength to strength since. More astonishing is the fact that, despite the huge volumes produced, with grapes sourced from growers throughout Provence, the quality remains undimmed.
TASTING NOTES
Harvested during the serene Provençal dawns, meticulously de-stemmed and fermented exclusively in stainless steel. Temperature regulated to prevent oxidation. 'Bâtonnage' (the agitation of the lees sediment in the tank) is performed bi-weekly to enhance the wine's velvety texture. Enticing aromas of delicate red berries, crisp and vibrant on the palate, with an elegantly refined mouthfeel.
FOOD PAIRING
Superb as a standalone aperitif, or with shrimp ceviche and artisanal bruschetta; ideal for a beachside gathering.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Through this label, the Cave d'Esclans has transformed Provençal rosé into a chic trendsetter.
2018 Domaine des Masques, Chardonnay Cuvee Exception
Regular price £24.40 Save £-24.40An olive-grove since the time of the ancient Gauls, the plateau near Aix-en-Provence upon which Le Domaine des Masques rests was settled by the Knights Templar of the Order of Provence in the Middle Ages. Vines were first planted in 1992, and in 2003 the estate was bought by Carl and Sophie Mestdagh. The vineyards are tended according to organic principles, although the estate has not sought certification. With duties in the cellar overseen by the famous Rhône winemaker, Yves Cuilleron, the estate is in excellent hands, and producing exceptional wines.
TASTING NOTES
Barrel-fermentation and regular batonnage (lees-stirring) gives this wine great weight and complexity; bright citrus fruit and white blossom aromas are balanced by a buttery brioche character. The finish is supple and complex, with a hint of wood-spice.
FOOD PAIRING
A good wine for a roast chicken, or fish in creamy sauces.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The region has a long history of growing medicinal plants; and has always been a haven for healers, herbalists and 'sorcerers'; 'masco' in the Provençal dialect, which have given the estate its name.
2022 Les Quatre Tours, La Colline, Provence Rose
Regular price £24.70 Save £-24.70ABOUT THE WINE
Nestled between the Mediterranean and the Alps, in the heart of Provence, lies the picturesque Les Quatre Tours estate. As the setting that inspired Van Gogh and Cézanne, this idyllic region has been home to the production of exceptional, rich, and opulent wines for over a century. Les Quatre Tours' 2022 La Colline is their Certified Organic, higher-end rosé, embodying the essence and vibrant colours of southern France.
TASTING NOTES
A radiant, blush pink hue captivates the eye, while the nose delights with a lively bouquet of zesty grapefruit, tangy green apple, and luscious red fruits. Revel in the impeccably balanced, refreshing taste as fruity notes of pomegranate, sun-kissed strawberries, and succulent grapefruit waltz across the palate. A dry finish, accentuated by a refined minerality, leaves an unforgettable impression.
FOOD PAIRING
While exceptional as a standalone treat, this luxurious Provence rosé also pairs beautifully with sumptuous dishes like seared scallops with citrus beurre blanc, a vibrant heirloom tomato and burrata salad, or a refined lobster risotto—each dish harmoniously elevating the wine's exuberant character.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This sophisticated rosé makes a stunning aperitif for your next soirée or an elegant companion to refined hors d'oeuvres.
2016 Domaine des Masques, Syrah 'Exception'
Regular price £30.20 Save £-30.20ABOUT THE WINE
An olive-grove since the time of the ancient Gauls, the plateau near Aix-en-Provence upon which Le Domaine des Masques rests was settled by the Knights Templar of the Order of Provence in the Middle Ages. Vines were first planted in 1992, and in 2003 the estate was bought by Carl and Sophie Mestdagh. The vineyards are tended according to organic principles, although the estate has not sought certification. With duties in the cellar overseen by the famous Rhone winemaker, Yves Cuilleron, the estate is in excellent hands, and producing exceptional wines.
TASTING NOTES
Destemmed and fermented without pressing, using natural yeast; the wine undergoes extensive pump-overs to extract tannin and colour, and then aged in barrel for a year prior to release. Rich, full-bodied and concentrated, with blackcurrant, blackberry and oak-spice on the palate. The finish is punctuated by white-pepper and plum nuances.
FOOD PAIRING
Excellent with feathered game or a vegetarian stew.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The region has a long history of growing medicinal plants; and has always been a haven for healers, herbalists and sorcerers; masco in the Provencal dialect, which have given the estate its name.
2022 Domaines Ott Clos Mireille
Regular price £41.80 Save £-41.80In 1896 Marcel Ott, a graduate in agronomic engineering from Alsace, purchased several estates in Provence. The land was fallow after the ravages of phylloxera had destroyed the vineyards, but many years and multiple generations later, his descendants run three estates in the region: Château de Selle, Clos Mireille and Château Romassan, each with its own particular character. The distinctive bottle-shape of Domaines Ott* was designed in 1930 by René Ott. In 2004, Domaines Ott* was purchased by the Louis Roederer Champagne house, although management of the estates remains in the hands of the Ott family.
TASTING NOTES
Delicate salmon-pink. White fruits and a hint of strawberry, with a bright mineral character and a touch of red grapefruit. Subtle and persistent, of a quality consistent with its reputation as the finest Provençal rosé.
FOOD PAIRING
An aperitif all on its own, but also splendid with light dishes from charcuterie to anchovies. Try it with a shrimp cocktail.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Clos Mireille, a very old property built in the 1700s by Benedictine monks, overlooking the Mediterranean at La Londe les Maures, was purchased in 1930 by the family, and converted from mixed agriculture to vineyards. Rocky soils and the proximity of the ocean give the wines of Clos Mireille their own, unique character. The * is indeed part of the company’s name, for reasons of copyright.