Review At Length: D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2015
D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2015 Review
If you enjoy rosé wine, chances are you have tried (or at least heard of) D’Esclans Whispering Angel. With its alluring name, attractive label, hallmark pale pink Provencal hue, and cult following – it’s hard to be a wine enthusiast and not have picked up a bottle at some point in recent years.
My first exposure to Whispering Angel happened on Vivino, while I was aimlessly browsing the top wines of various regions. This was listed under “Provence Rosé”, and had received an impressive 4.0/5.0 with a staggering 18,000+ reviews! I quickly added it to my Wish List.
Fast forward to my 100th review on the app (by the way, you can follow me by clicking here). I wanted to knock something off my Wish List, and it just so happened there was a sale on this wine at my local grocer for $19.99 (down from the regular $24.99), so I scooped up a bottle.
I was still early on in my wine exploration days, so I didn’t have the most discerning palate. While I enjoyed the wine overall, I didn’t love it. I rated it 3.5/5.0, having found it to be lacking structure and balance. It was heavy with minerality, but “still very gentle”. Weird way to describe it, I know.
But that’s still how I feel about this wine two years later, having tasted the same 2015 vintage (apparently my grocer had some issues pushing its stock due to pricing, which we will discuss later). It has all the minerality I tend to enjoy in a rosé, without carrying any other flavors to round out the wine. It’s not bad, but it’s not 4.0/5.0 good, either. It’s simple and easy, which makes it perfect for summer sipping, but is it worth all the hype? Barely.
Related:
Rosé Wine Reviews
Your Quick And Easy Guide To How Rosé Wine Is Made
If you are active on social media, then you are probably aware of all the marketing that goes into Whispering Angel. It’s not just a wine, it’s a brand. Actually, it’s a lifestyle. Whispering Angel is the rosé that all the pretty girls drink. That the jetsetting elite make sure to pack their bags with. That sophisticated men who dress fashionably aren’t afraid to be pictured with. When you see a photo of Whispering Angel, you want to be in that scene, living that life.
But the reality is that most of us don’t own a yacht, can’t afford lavish vacations, and don’t have a closet full of designer clothes. But if we drink Whispering Angel, maybe, just maybe, we can get a taste of that lifestyle.
And this is where the price tag comes in. Now, depending on where you live or what store you shop at, you can find Whispering Angel for anywhere between $18-$25. Where I live, it’s closer to the pricier end of that spectrum. And also where I live, people don’t buy $25 bottles of wine. They buy $5 bottles of wine. Or more realistically, they buy Natty Ice. So this is why, in 2018, I was still able to buy a bottle of 2015 – ancient in rosé years (these wines should be consumed super young).
But this also speaks to a bigger point about Whispering Angel – something that seems to echo in my circle of wine enthusiasts that I connect with on social media. When you buy a bottle of Whispering Angel, you are not paying for the relatively average rosé wine you are getting – you are paying for the image of luxury behind the brand. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as you are aware of this.
WINE
“As a negociant and vinificateur (winery), Caves d’esclans identifies vineyards, grapes and wines from Château d’esclans as well as local growers to make what has reputedly become the world’s greatest rosé. As our objective is to obtain the best quality grapes and wines, we have created relationships with the local grape growers, committed beside Caves d’esclans, whose vineyards are treated with the same high standards of quality as are the vineyards of Château d’esclans.”
-Winemaker Notes
WINEMAKER
Sacha Alexis Lichine
COUNTRY/REGION
France – La Motte, Côtes de Provence
VINTAGE
2015
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
13.5%
GRAPES
- Grenache
- Rolle (Vermentino)
- Cinsault
Percentages unknown. All grapes are harvested from sunrise to noon. Made via the direct press method, using both free run and pressed juice.
AGING
Stainless steel, time unknown.
TASTING NOTES
Color: Delicate, pale pink with a hint of shimmering gold.
Aroma: Fresh and clean with lemon, crushed wet stones, and a touch of herbs and orange peel.
Body: Light-medium. Full of minerals and acidity, yet thin and lacking enough fruitiness to provide structure and balance.
Flavor: Chalk and slate minerality, with tart yet gentle notes grapefruit, lemon, raspberry, strawberry.
Pairing Suggestions: Light appetizers and dishes, such as cheese plates, salads, Mezze platters and crudité.
MY RATING
3/5
ADDITIONAL INFO
You can buy Whispering Angel online and try it for yourself by clicking here!
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I’d love to hear your thoughts on Whispering Angel, as it is a love/hate topic. Leave me a comment below!
LOVE IT? PIN THIS POST!
Sounds like a lovely way to spend a lazy afternoon lounging with some good wine. Nice review thanks for sharing
Definitely, Virginia! Just add some nice warm weather, and maybe a pool or a beach or just an outdoor picnic, and you are set!
This sounds like some tasty wine! I don’t drink it, but my mom does, so I’ll have to tell her about this.
Whispering Angel definitely seems like a fitting gift to give a rose wine-loving mom. She will love the name for sure!
Mmm sounds delish. Rose is my favourite. Especially in summer!
Then maybe this one is right for you! If not, I have plenty more rose wines to choose from all month long!
I’d drink this wine if I looked as fabulous as the gal in the swim suit! 😉 Thanks for the straightforward review. Beautiful article design.
Right? I wish that’s how marketing worked…buy this and you will literally become this chic and flawless and beautiful and take amazing photos in amazing locations.
I appreciate your kind words, Paula. Cheers!
Aww I was hoping you’d say you loved it, but I’ll have to reconsider giving it a try since you rated it a 3.5. I do lovec rose tho!!
xoxo
Annie
Annie – don’t let me disuade you! If you want to try it, then by all means do it! You may just fall in love. We all enjoy different wines for different reasons.
And overall, I do like the wine for something simple and as a party-pleaser; but my cautionary tale lies in the cost – $15? Sure. $22-25? You can probably find better.
Whatever your decision, cheers to rose!
I do love my wine but it’s always red, I think. I should try others and see what is out there.
I love experimenting with new wines all the time! It can be intimidating, but you never know what else you might fall in love with 😉
I haven’t tried this but would love to. Will also give my rating too. 🙂
I’d love to know what you think! Everyone has a different palate, so its always fun to compare notes. Cheers, Jasmine!
I haven’t tried this but will absolutely give it it try.
It’s worth a shot, you might just be enchanted by the Angel!
This sounds so nice. I usually drink red but I wouldn’t mind trying this out after reading your review!
xo, Sondra
Cuisineandtravel.com
So glad I could help to offer new suggestions to you, Sondra. Cheers!
this sounds really good! i love trying different wines.
Rosé wines are always so fun to try. Cheers, Ariana!
Thanks for sharing! I have never tried this before but it sounds like something I would like. I love trying new wines and drink mostly rose and whites.
I don’t drink wine or alcohol but this wine looks like it tastes delicious.
I have to try this wine. I love wine, but I’m not good at piking one, so I usually stay with the brand I know I love. Thanks for telling me about this one. It sounds delish.
I love wine. I’ve stayed with the Riesling and fruity family. But, love a good red wine when enjoying a hearty meal. Food and wine go so well together.
Wow, I’d love to try this! I love wine 🙂
I didn’t know about the social media aspect of it, but this was recommended to me the last time I was shopping for wine. I was not a fan. I’m much more of a Pinot Noir Rosè kinda girl.
Some roses give me headaches. I think it might be from the carcinogens. But this stuff sounds like great quality wine. I want to try it out!
This was a really good review! I’m new to wines; I just acquired a taste for them within the last 2 years, and I’m always looking for a new one to try!
What a lovely review! I am not much of a wine drinker but my sister is. She loves wine-tasting, I have to send her a link of this. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Great review and very helpful because Rosé is my go-to wine! Will have to check this one out and try for myself!