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Can a rosé really ever be a 'fine' wine? With the phenomenal growth in popularity of Provençal rosés over the last decade, we have had occasion to ask ourselves this question. The answer for us, quite simply, is Domaines Ott. We have secured an allocation of the new vintage of this highly sought-after wine. We are offering it en primeur, in advance of the 2018 vintage, landing in May for drinking this summer.
Established by Marcel Ott in 1896 and owned by Louis Roederer since 2004, Ott was the forerunner of the current crop of luxury Provençal rosés, notably Whispering Angel (known in certain parts of Long Island as 'Hampton Water'). The lifestyle associated with such wines (‘best drunk with...a super-yacht!’) can overshadow the immense care and skill required to make intense, elegant rosé like the Domaines Ott Clos Mireille.
One of three estates owned by Ott, Clos Mireille is an hour West along the coast from St-Tropez. The vines run down to a private beach, the Plage du Pellegrin, which overlooks the Fort de Brégançon, the island holiday home of the French president.
Clos Mireille has intense aromas and flavours of water melon and white peach juice, with a saline and mineral intensity which belies the pale, delicate colour, a match for fish, crab or lobster dishes. Made organically, the blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsaut and a little Rolle (the local name for Vermentino) is fermented in enormous old oak foudre (casks) after the gentlest of presssings, with minimal skin contact extracting flavour but not colour.
Enjoyable immediately, it also has the ability to age well for 2 or 3 years beyond the vintage, but we doubt it will last that long. For high days and holidays this summer, why not add a case or two to your cellar.
Offered en primeur and available May 2019.
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