Château Beaulieu's `Cuvée Alexandre` Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé is a brilliantly clear and salmon pink wine. Its aromas of redcurrant, wild strawberry, and herbs evolve into floral, white peach, and pear notes. The fresh acidity is perfectly balanced by the pronounced fruit and defined structure providing an elegant and refreshing finish. An ideal choice for fish dishes, stuffed Provencal vegetables or, for those with a sweet tooth, a fresh strawberry tart.

Vineyard and Winery

Situated a few kilometres from Aix-en-Provence and stretching 300 hectares, the estate lies in the heart of Provence's only volcano at 400 metres above sea level. The site, which faces the renowned Provencal region of the Lubéron and overlooks the Durance Valley and the Roque d'Anthéron, is diversified and ideally suited to growing vines. The sunny, dry, Mediterranean climate provides ripe, fruit-driven wines. The sea breezes moderate the hot, drying influence of the Mistral, which blows from the north; this means that the vines are not stressed, the balance is better and the wine retains freshness and aroma alongside the fruit.

The grapes were harvested at night, cold direct pressed and fermented at a low temperature (14°C-18°C). Fermentation took place in the same way as a white wine (rather than using the 'saignée' method of drawing off part of a red wine early in the fermentation). This minimised the extraction of harsh phenolics, leading to a more delicate style of rosé with a fine textured finish.

About the Producer

Château Beaulieu is owned by the Guénant family and is situated near Rognes in the Coteaux d‘Aix-en-Provence, which lies along the Mediterranean coast to the west of the Côtes de Provence appellation. Although the vineyards have been farmed since Roman times, the Château itself was built in 1576 as a stronghold for King Henry III of France.

The 300 hectares of vines lie at an altitude of 400 metres in the heart of an ancient volcanic crater, where the soils are a mix of basalt and clay. The sunny, dry, Mediterranean climate ensures fully ripe grapes, while the sea breezes moderate the hot, drying influence of the Mistral wind that blows from the North and lend the wine its delicate freshness.

The Château Beaulieu ‘Cuvée Alexandre’ is a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault and Vermentino. The wine is vinified in the same way as a white wine (rather than by the ‘saignée’ method of drawing off part of a red wine early in its fermentation) to minimise the extraction of grippy phenolics. It is very pale in colour with fresh wild strawberry and redcurrant aromas and notes of juicy white peach and pear. Rounded on the mid-palate, it has great levels of natural acidity that give the wine it’s refreshing finish.