Executive editor Thomas Matthews joined Wine Spectator in 1988. His tasting beats are Spain and New York.

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An Angel for My Angel

Château d'Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé Whispering Angel 2008

Thomas Matthews
Posted: October 8, 2009

We threw a party for my wife Sara’s Big Birthday a week ago Saturday, with lots of family and friends. It was a peak experience.

At her request, we served Southern comfort food from Po’ Pigs Bo-B-Q on Edisto Island, in South Carolina, shipped up by owners Bobo and Pam Lee. The menu included pulled-pork barbecue, various beans and greens, mac‘n’cheese and hush puppies. Dessert was an amazing red velvet cake from Brooklyn’s own Cake Man Raven.

What wine goes with soul food and an extremely diverse crowd? I played it safe and offered red, white and rosé. Counting empty bottles the next morning, it seemed that the rosé won the day. It was Whispering Angel from Château d’Esclans in Provence, the new project from Sacha Lichine, son of one of the 20th century's most influential figures in French wine. This sleek, dry rosé offered the luscious berry fruit of old-vine Grenache, the sophistication of St. Tropez, and the simple pleasures of summer on the beach. I rated it 90 points, non-blind, a perfect piece of a flawless party.

WineSpectator.com members: Read the original blind-tasting review for Château d'Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé Whispering Angel 2008 (88, $20).

• Plus, get our quick list of Top Values among rosés, all for $20 or less.