ULTIMATE PROVENCE | Côtes de Provence | Rosé | 2024
cinsault | grenache | syrah | vermentino

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Ultimate Provence is not just a winery, it’s a statement of contemporary provençal lifestyle. Departing from the traditional château aesthetic, the estate was reimagined by the Monegasque architects Humbert & Poyet, who infused it with a bold, modern design that challenges convention. Their vision was to create an immersive destination that harmonizes the natural beauty of the Plaine des Maures, with chic and intimate spaces. This philosophy extends to their winemaking, where they aim to produce an ‘ultimate’ expression of the famous Provence Rosé, one that is both representative of its origin and expresively modern in its appeal.
Today we are going to review a quite captivating rosé wine from the famous Provence region of southern France – Côtes de Provence Rosé 2024 by Ultimate Provence. This wine is a traditional blend of three red grape varieties (cinsault, grenache and syrah) and one white grape variety (rolle, which is the french name of the famous vermentino grape variety from Sardinia), with each variety vinified separately before blending them into the famous rosé cuvée. Rosé itself is a bizarre wine category, as it isn’t exactly a red wine, nor is it a white wine – it is something in between. The secret to the pinkish hue of the rosé wine is found in the skins of the red grapes and more exactly in the anthocyanin pigments. When making a red wine, the skins spend the entire fermentation in contact with the juice, for rosé however the process is shortened, for example pinot noir usually spends around 4 to 6 hours on the skins, to produce its trademark pale salmon hue, while cabernet sauvignon needs only a few minutes to make that rich, deep-pink color. This emblematic rosé wine is a classic provençal blend, created by the two rosé methods: direct pressing for cinsault, grenache and rolle, and saignée for the syrah grape variety. After the wine is blended, it undergoes cold stabilization on fine lees (‘stabulation sur lies‘) to enhance its aromatic intensity.

France is one of the world’s most influential wine-producing countries, with a long history of terroir-driven viticulture, defined by its wide climatic range – from the cool maritime zones of the Atlantic coast to the warm Mediterranean climate of the south. France is the birthplace to many of the world’s most famous grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. Its wines are known for balance, varietal typicity, and a strong link between geography and style (which is called terroir), forming global reference points for quality across all known wine styles.
The Provence wine region, stretching along the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast of southeastern France, is famed for producing some of the world’s most iconic rosé wines. With a classic Mediterranean, climate, marked by hot summers, mild winters, and abundant sunshine, it is moderated by the cooling breezes of the Mediterranean Sea and the famous Mistral wind. The region’s complex geology supports a wide range of grape varieties, from Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, to Mourvèdre, Tibouren and Rolle – all of them key players that create the Provence’s world famous rosé wines.

Côtes de Provence is the largest and most prominent appellation within Provence AOP, spanning from coastal areas influenced by sea breezes, to inland hills shaped by altitude and stony soils. This appellation benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate tempered by the Mistral wind, which helps maintain vineyard health and concentrate grape flavours. The soils here are equally diverse, ranging from limestone and clay to schist and granite, each contributing different structural qualities to the wines. Rosé dominates the landscape, crafted primarily from Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, often blended to achieve the perfect balance between fruit expressivity and terroir-driven minerality.

color: pale & transparent peach color
clarity: translucent onion shades

In the glass, the wine reveals a pale and transparent peach color – a hallmark of a provençal rosé, with delicate, pale onion shades that catch the light at the rim of the glass.

intensity: pronounced & fruity-expressive
fruit character: ripe & explosive

The nose is pronounced and fruity-explosive, showcasing a ripe fruit character. The foreground bursts forth with a new-world-styled medley of candy drops (pear, lemon, and peach candy), alongside fresh orchard fruits like pear, apple and nectarine. Hints of blueberry and wolfberry add a layer of intrigue, while in the background, a zesty citrus wave of lemon, lime, and sicilian orange provides a refreshing contrast, complemented by subtle, sweet spice undertones of cinnamon and star anise.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: low | balance: good
finish: medium | aftertaste: fresh & heady

On the palate, the wine is as vibrant and expressive as the nose suggests, delivering a fresh and heady mouthfeel that is both firm and rich. It feels dry, driven by a crisp acidity that makes it incredibly refreshing. A distinct touch of alcoholic warmth emerges on the mid-palate, coupled with a subtle phenolic bitterness that adds structure and a slightly austere edge. This interplay of freshness and robustness leads to a crisp and heady aftertaste that is both invigorating and lingering.

maturity: in its prime | drink now or within a year
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality

Overall, this is a very appealing rosé wine that delivers a quite modern and robust tasting experience. Its fruity-explosive nose and well structured palate are its greatest assets. However, there is a tweak – that explosive, New Zealand-inspired aromatic profile, filled with candy-like notes, comes at the cost of terroir expression, as the subtle minerality of the schist soil and the distinct varietal characteristics are somewhat overshadowed. All in all, the wine is right there, at the summit of its prime form, ready to be enjoyed today or within the next year in order to appreciate its full aromatic intensity.

Due to its vibrant acidity and firm structure, this wine can be a versatile pairing partner for a wide variety of dishes. For a perfect complementary pairing, serve it alongside prawns sautéed with basil, garlic, and a hint of chili. The wine’s citrus notes will echo the zesty elements of the dish, while its crisp acidity will effortlessly cut through the richness of the prawns. Santé!

ULTIMATE PROVENCE | Côtes de Provence | Rosé | 2024
variety: cinsault | grenache | syrah | vermentino
country: France
region: Provence | Côtes de Provence
rating: 93.3

The chic, modern design of the Ultimate Provence winery was envisioned by the renowned monegasque architectural duo Humbert & Poyet. Their goal was to disrupt the traditional aesthetics of provençal vineyards, creating a sophisticated architecture that would blend seamlessly into its surroundings. The estate’s location, in the rugged Plaine des Maures, offers a striking contrast to the nearby glamour of the Gulf of Saint Tropez. The wine’s luminous and contemporary bottle is a direct reflection of this modern spirit.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!