2020 Château Sainte Roseline Le Cloître Côtes de Provence 750 ml

If we were to piece together everything we adore about Côtes de Provence rosé in a single glass, this would be it. Estate-grown at a Cru Classé winery in the most reliably excellent rosé region on Earth, the 2020 Château Sainte Roseline Le Cloître is crisp, complex, and one of the region’s best values. 

Château Sainte Roseline is one of just 18 wineries in the Côtes de Provence to have earned Cru Classé status. The pedigree of these clay-limestone vineyards, which are replenished by natural springs, was recognized as far back as Pope Jean XXII. They’re rooted in the Esclans Valley, which lies between the legendary Domaines Ott and Château d’Esclans, known for Whispering Angel and the $100+ Garrus rosé. 

Even though Sainte Roseline wine has been listed alongside those powerhouses as one of Wine Enthusiast’s “favorite luxury rosés,” this luxury comes at a stunning price for this kind of pedigree.

Le Cloître merges a complexity that demands another sip, a fruit freshness that demands another bottle, and a price that eliminates all second thoughts. Its aromas are enticingly intricate—tones of strawberry, raspberry, and melon complemented by wildflowers, lavender, and crushed stones. Bone-dry on the palate, it intrigues with red fruit, wild herbs, citrus zest, and a lingering minerality. 

Our last offer of Le Cloître sparked a flurry of member praises. “Exactly what I want in a rosé,” said one. “Excellent rosé,” wrote another. More chimed in, calling it “beautiful” and a “wonderful wine.” The 2020 growing season was even steadier than 2019’s (no heat spikes), giving this bottle incredible balance… And we’ve got it at an even better price than last year too.

On a trip to the South of France years ago, we visited Chapelle Sainte-Roseline, where it takes a moment for the eyes to adjust from the bright Provençal sun outside to the cool, dark interior of the Romanesque church. Within this wine’s namesake cloister lies an ancient site, shrouded in mystery, containing the 690-year-old form of Roseline de Villeneuve, a local hero and saint who performed miracles and aided the poor. 

Thankfully, the vineyards surrounding the church are far more forthcoming than its interior. The Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown by the Teillaud family make the wine terrifically expressive, with an impressive depth of flavor.  

Winemaker Aurélie Bertin-Teillaud has maintained Sainte Roseline’s status as one of Provence’s leading Cru Classé wineries, even as the popularity of rosé has surged, flooding the market with competitors. While other producers are over-cropping just to keep up with demand, Aurélie has introduced increased planting density and green harvesting to lower yields and force the vines to produce more flavorful grapes. In addition, the team practices leaf-stripping to maximize sunlight, leading to greater flavor concentration in the berries—displaying the family’s extreme devotion to quality over quantity. 

That commitment shows in a rosé that, miraculously, is still a bargain for the prestigious region. We’ve been thinking about this rosé since our visit, which is why we’re keeping it in our glass as long as we can.