Château Sainte Marguerite Symphonie Rosé, Provence, 75cl (2025)

Sainte Marguerite is one of just eighteen Cru Classé estates in Provence, farmed by the Fayard family on the coast at La Londe-les-Maures since 1977. The whole estate is certified organic and vegan - not a recent marketing move but a commitment going back to the early 2000s. Symphonie is the cuvée the family points newcomers to: the clearest, most direct expression of how they make rosé.

It's a classic coastal Provence blend, Grenache-led with Cinsault and Rolle. The vines sit on schist and flinty soils a few kilometres from the Mediterranean, and the sea air keeps the fruit fresh through the summer heat. Whole bunches are chilled and gently pressed, then vinified cool and aged on fine lees in tank - no oak, nothing to blur the fruit. The result is the pale, crystalline pink Provence is known for.

Expect white peach and spring blossom on the nose, then a dry, zesty palate of pink grapefruit and citrus zest with a clean, mineral finish. Properly refreshing, and best served well chilled at 8-10°C.