Grape Wine Journey

My fascination of wine always was to find out the story behind a label.   This makes wine more interesting, as it isn’t just a competition on how many aromas you can find in a wine.  At the end it is still a product and as a consumer you make the decision if you are willing to pay the price to enjoy alone or with a meal.

After visiting the International Spirits & Wine Fair, I sat down at my net book and thought of all the tastings I had at the Wine Fair.  I remembered Whispering Angel from Chateau D’Esclans vividly for 2 reasons.   The owner’s vision to change the perception of rosé as a cheap summer wine.  And also the eye catching name Whispering Angel – there must be a marketing genius behind the label.

This weekend, I sat down and read one of the brochures I took from the booth.  It was an interesting story and the two gentlemen behind the label explained why I was attracted to the Rosé in the first place.

Mr. Sacha Lichine

The Chateau was owned by Mr. Sacha Lichine, the son of late Alexis Lichine, a very influential figure in Bordeaux.  At one point his family owned the 2^nd Growth Chateau Lascombes and 4^th Growth Chateau Prieure-Lichine.  However, Mr. Sacha Lichine was brought up in the States with his mother; he only visited Bordeaux during holidays.  

In 1987, he received a call from his father’s lawyer – “Time to come home”.  His father had passed away and he had to take over Chateau Prieure-Lichine.  He spent 12 years at the Chateau and finally sold the property in 1999.  He moved to Provence and eager to start his own legacy. 

Monsieur Patrick Leon

In 2006 he bought Chateau D’Esclans from a Swedish pension fund.  He set his vision to make the best quality and most expensive rosé in the world.  Sacha Lichine recruited an old family friend Monsieur Patrick Leon who had just retired as the chief wine maker from Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

 Together, they created the vision, as quoted from the brochure:

“What they have developed is a line of rosé combining Burgundian winemaking techniques with Studio 54 marketing.”

The first vintage 2006 caught the attention of the renowned wine magazine – Wine Spectator.   The 4 rosé all won high accolades from the magazine. 

For Mr. Lichine and Monsieur Leon – they have realized their vision and started their legacy in the world of wine!