In the world of wine, few vintages manage to permanently transform the perception of an entire category. When Sacha Lichine launched Whispering Angel in 2006, rosé from Provence was still largely associated with light, summery, and often local consumption. Twenty years later, this iconic wine has become one of the most famous rosés in the world, symbolizing a spectacular change in status for wines from Provence.

The story of Château d’Esclans is first and foremost one of vision. Heir to a great winemaking family and a connoisseur of international markets, Sacha Lichine was convinced that the Provençal terroirs possessed the potential to rival the world’s greatest wines. When he acquired Château d’Esclans, northeast of Saint-Tropez, he set himself an ambitious goal: to create rosés capable of combining prestige, complexity, and international desirability.

To achieve this ambition, he surrounded himself with the best talent. Among them, Patrick Léon, the former technical director of Château Mouton Rothschild, brings his experience with great Bordeaux wines. Together, they are developing a radically new approach to rosé, based on demanding plot selection, controlled yields, and winemaking methods inspired by the greatest names in French wine.

The setting lives up to this ambition. Nestled in the heart of the Esclans Valley, the estate’s vineyards unfold in an environment of rare beauty. Around the 19th-century Tuscan-inspired manor house, plots of land bordered by olive trees, maritime pines, and cypresses stretch out under the radiant Mediterranean light. The terroir is one of the estate’s greatest assets. The emblematic grape varieties of Provence – Grenache, Syrah, Rolle, Cinsault, Ugni Blanc, and Roussanne – find remarkable expression here. The diversity of the soils, a blend of clay, limestone, and sandy gravel, brings complexity and nuance to the blends. As for the Mediterranean climate, tempered by maritime influences, it allows for optimal ripeness while preserving freshness and balance. This pursuit of precision continues right into the cellars. The harvest is carried out exclusively by hand and at night to preserve the aromatic integrity of the grapes. Each berry undergoes meticulous selection through a double sorting process, both manual and optical. The winemaking process is then tailored to each plot and each cuvée, in a constant pursuit of finesse and elegance. The result is revealed in a range that has become a global benchmark.

Whispering Angel remains the gateway to this world. For its twentieth vintage, the cuvée retains what has made it so successful: a blend of freshness, lusciousness, and precision that has won over consumers from New York to Tokyo.

Rock Angel boasts greater depth and structure, with a fuller texture and pronounced minerality. The Château d’Esclans cuvée, meanwhile, expresses the full personality of the estate, while Les Clans demonstrates that a rosé can rival the finest gastronomic wines thanks to its aging potential and remarkable complexity. At the pinnacle of the pyramid sits Garrus. Made from nearly century-old vines and aged in large oak barrels, this exceptional rosé has significantly contributed to changing the perception of wine lovers and critics alike. Its elegance, depth, and aging potential have made it one of the absolute benchmarks for premium rosé, “the Meursault of Provence.”

The international success of Château d’Esclans quickly attracted the attention of major luxury groups. In 2019, LVMH, through Moët Hennessy, acquired a stake in the estate before gradually taking full control by 2026. This recognition confirms the brand’s strategic value and global reach. The year 2026 also marks the beginning of a new chapter. After leading the House’s spectacular growth for two decades, Sacha Lichine is handing over the operational reins to Bruno Yvon, appointed Managing Director of Château d’Esclans by Moët Hennessy. With an international career within the group, from Hong Kong to Tokyo and India, this trained oenologist embodies the continuity of an ambition founded on excellence.

Twenty years after the creation of Whispering Angel, Château d’Esclans thus stands as one of the finest success stories of contemporary French winemaking. An adventure born from a visionary intuition, fueled by the excellence of an exceptional Provençal terroir, and now part of the global strategy of the world’s leading luxury group. A shining demonstration that rosé, too, can aspire to the ranks of great wines.

This article was publisehd on June, 26th 2026.