Chateau Sainte Croix Marjolaine Provence Rosé

Pairs with: Classic Mediterranean ratatouille, grilled chicken skewers, prosciutto with melon, wood-fired pizza, or fresh seafood salad

Good for: Toasting a sun-drenched patio afternoon, packing for an elegant beach picnic, or matching with a wide variety of tricky summer dishes

Grape: 70% Grenache, 20% Carignan, and 10% Syrah

I am from: Côtes de Provence AOP, Provence, France

The Story: Perched on the rolling hills of Carcès in the heart of Provence, Château Sainte Croix is a beautiful 50-hectare estate rich in history. Its roots stretch back to a 12th-century fortified farm originally used by Cistercian monks while they constructed the nearby Thoronet Abbey. Today, the property is run by Florence and Stéphane Pélépol, representing the fourth generation of their family to carefully farm these ancient clay-limestone soils. The "Marjolaine" bottling is a special estate cuvée that basks in the intense southern sun and the cooling, clearing forces of the Mistral wind, capturing the definitive, chic spirit of true Provençal winemaking.

Why You'll Love Me: It offers a slightly more robust, structured, and complex profile than your average light rosé, while keeping that signature, ultra-pale pink elegance. The nose opens with a charmingly fragrant bouquet of tart red raspberries, pink grapefruit, fresh melon notes, and light tropical fruit, undercurrented by delicate notes of white rose petals. On the palate, it is beautifully balanced, unctuous, and voluminous, cut cleanly by a crisp, zesty acidity and finishing smooth with a touch of white pepper and mouthwatering salinity.