"Charles and Ruth Simpson bought this property in the Languedoc in 2002 and have made a range of well-conceived, modern reds and whites there, building up a following..."

Jancis Robinson MW, www.jancisrobinson.com, May 2008

"...a gorgeous southern French property owned by an adventurous Brit couple."

Matthew Jukes, Daily Mail, September 2007

"This is a domaine that should be added to our list of Leading producers of the Languedoc Roussillon"

Jancis Robinson, MW, Purple Pages 2007

"Tasting whites like these, I think it's the Australians, not the French, who should worry."

Tim Atkin, The Observer, June17 2007

"Charles and Ruth Simpson have made a success of their move to the Midi as this Sainte Rose LVN and LGE show."

Jane MacQuitty, The Times, March 2007

" Since purchasing the estate in 2002, Charles and Ruth Simpson have created some amazing wines and are gaining accolades from around the world."

Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, Waitrose Wine Direct, March 2007

"The most beautiful wines came from the Domaine de Sainte Rose with a first-class Roussanne (Barrel Selection), a very beautiful, polished and characterful chardonnay (Le Sirocco), in addition to a very convincing Syrah (Le Pinacle Syrah)."

www.wein-plus.de , July 2006

"I have to say that the overall quality of these wines is excellent. The Simpson's intent is clear from the moment you pick up one of their super heavyweight bottles in their stylish packaging, and the wines live up to the promise in the bottle. These are decidedly modern wines, with full extraction and plenty of oak in some cuvées, yet the expression of the gape varieties and terroir of the south is not lost."

Tom Cannavan, wine-pages.com, 2005
 

"There's brilliant stuff to be had here and anyone not yet convinced should be pointed firmly in the direction of the likes of Domaine Sainte Rose......"

Berkmann Wine Cellars, 2003

"....the wines are smart and polished"

Simon Field, MW- Berry Brothers and Rudd, 2004

On Le Pinacle Chardonnay:-

"Rich, buttery Vin de Pays d'Oc, with rich intense palate and good length.  Very good for a first vintage!"

Rose Murray Brown, MW- The Scotsman, 10th July 2004

"What a good Chassagne Montrachet should be at 1/3 of the price"

JP Bauermeister, Les Vins de la Collégiale, Switzerland 2004

"  An impressive aroma, nicely oaked and nutty.  The palate is rich and buttery with a good layer of melon fruit and a long, long finish.  If you like your chards big and oaky this is the fella for you- but a year or two down the line don't be surprised if more complexity develops and the oak subsides gently." Scribblings Rating - 88/100

Andy Barrow, http://www.andys-scribblings.co.uk/, 2004

On the Barrel Selection Roussanne / La Nuit Blanche Roussanne:-

"...hit the spot.  Made from night-harvested grapes, this is a terrific, nutty, lemon and apricot-stacked, French oak-aged white of real distinction." 

Jane Macquitty, The Times, June 14th, 2008

"Exciting herbal nose- quite a bouquet!"

Jancis Robinson MW,  www.jancisrobinson.com , April 2008

"Made from the roussanne grape, this is full, ripe, honeyed and crammed with greengage, nectarine and lime notes, as well as boasting a very long finish.  It has enough oomph to handle both the pie and the roast- along with gravy, too."

Matthew Jukes, Daily Mail, April, 2008

"Shows power and restraint. The nose is discreet and floral. Perfume of rose, fresh pineapple and honey. This delicate structure is supported by a more oily texture with flavours of sugared almonds, yellow fruits and mild spices. This juice was carefully vinified and aged in oak barrels. We matched this wine with sparerib of pork and Pardailhan turnips." 16/20

Terre de Vins, February 2008

"...a spectacular and rare Roussanne from a gorgeous southern French property owned by an adventurous Brit couple.  This 100 per cent Roussanne is one of the year's most remarkable wines.  The utterly delicious honey, lime juice and pear and fruit is amazingly complex and ethereal.  Perfect with 'meatier' fish and richer, creamy sauces, this is an unmissable wine." 

Matthew Jukes, Daily Mail, Sept, 2007

"Sainte Rose have quite a history of growing Roussanne – it used to be blended with Chardonnay in their Vent du Nord. Very creamy, flattering texture with a real spine of acidity, some ripe greengage flavours and real depth of flavour and persistence. There’s something distinctly verdant about this wine – followers of Ch de Beaucastel Blanc, Vieilles Vignes might be interested to see this junior version. The oaking has been done with a very gentle hand. Bravo!"

Jancis Robinson MW, www.jancisrobinson.com , September 2007

Winner of the Roussanne Trophy in the 2007 Top 100 Vins de Pays of France.  "Full-on toasty, buttery oak, hint of cedar. Textured, rich and complex with lemony, citrussy acidity giving a zesty lime finish."

Top 100 VDPs of France, 2007

"Showing the diversity of which France is capable.  Complex, honeyed, concentrated white with a dash of toasty oak and balancing citrusy freshness"

Anthony Rose, The Independent, July, 2007

"The biggest surprise in 2007(Top 100 VDPs) was the top whites.  The rich toasty, citrus-like 2004 Domaine Sainte Rose Barrel Selection Roussanne...is an amazing wine. Tasting whites like these, I think it's the Australians, not the French, who should worry."

Tim Atkin, The Observer, June 17 2007

“Rich, creamy, exotic nose.  Juicy, tangy fruit on the palate with notes of mandarin.  Long, fresh and interesting.  Up to 2009!”

Decanter Magazine, March 2007

"An intense and oak-fermented southern French dry white with distinctive mineral undertones and lightly honeyed richness."

Anthony Rose, The Independent, January, 2007

"Rich, creamy, honeysuckle-like white with lovely balance."

Tim Atkin of The Observer Magazine "My wines of the year" 3/12/06

3rd Party Reviews On ‘La Vie en Rose":-

"A nice soft, easy drinking wine with crisp, pure flavours.  But a pleasant weight too that should accompany food well. " Scribblings Rating - 88/100

Andy Barrow, http://www.andys-scribblings.co.uk/, 2004

On ‘Le Mistral’ (Merlot):-

"Dark, meaty, flavour-filled blend....impressive!"

Joe Breen, Irish Times, June 2007

"Charles and Ruth Simpson have made a success of their move to the Midi as this Sainte Rose duo proves: this velvety red, a blend of syrah and grenache, is thick with full, ripe herby, peppery fruit."

Jane MacQuitty, The Times, March 2007

"This d'Oc wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. It has an inky black colour and a spicy nose of cherry, thyme and herbs and a background of cedary, nicely judged oak and black plum fruit. On the palate it is fleshy and fruity, with plenty of crunchy and juicy blackberry and black cherry, and a softening note of sweet, damp earth and briarwood. It is crisp and fresh style of wine, though the makers suggest it will cellar for four or five years. Very good indeed."

Tom Cannavan, wine-pages.com, 2005

Berry Bros. & Rudd, www.bbr.com, 2003

David Dickenson, MD 3D Wines, 2003

"A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan with 14% alcohol. A delicious array of aromas and flavours here – thyme and rosemary with baked fruitcake notes coupled with cherry and pepper. An upfront fruity softness finishing with a tannic burst. " Scribblings Rating - 90/100

Andy Barrow, http://www.andys-scribblings.co.uk/, 2003

On 'Le Soleil du Sud' (Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah):-

"This wine combines the glossiness of cabernet with the spiciness of Syrah- qualities that make it a great partner to grilled meat.  Made in the Languedoc by a British Couple, Charles and Ruth Simpson, it's a great example of the new generation of beautifully-made, world-class wines that are being made in the South of France".

Giles Kime, Sunday Telegraph, June 1st, 2008

"...wines of the quality of the aromatic, smooth and richly blackcurranty 2006 Soleil du Sud!"

Anthony Rose, The Independent, March 2008

"An attractive and harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with structure but good ripe fruit in the middle. Fine tannins promise a longish life. "

Jancis Robinson MW, www.jancisrobinson.com , September 2007

"Another Vin de Pays d'Oc, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged 10 months in a combination of French and American oak. Very fine nose, where the immediate impression is of soft, sweet berry fruits, with masses of blackcurrant and bramble, and an undertow of vanilla and toast. On the palate the wine is spicy and mouth-filling, with a roughening edge of damson and plum-skin fruit, good ripeness, and quite a big, slightly raw, oaky finish. There is power and depth here..."

Tom Cannavan, wine-pages.com, 2005

"Again, very dark – semi opaque. The nose displays classic, leafy, minty Cabernet character (the germoline will take over soon!) combined with the herby garrigue and violet of the Syrah. The palate delivers beautifully soft, ripe fruit flavours of bramble and blackcurrant, with some bitter chocolate on the finish. The oak is very well-integrated and there is a pronounced acidity, providing lovely balance – big alcohol, but quite refreshing. I actually wasn’t keen on this, to begin with, but it has really grown on me. Superb wine-making from a difficult year, and one of the best 2002’s I’ve tasted."

Leon Stolarski Fine Wines, 2005

"The ‘Southern Sun’ is a blend of selected Cabernet and Syrah grapes with an alcohol level of 14%. Superb concentrated aroma – deep blackberries with a sprinkling of spice and lighter touches of blackcurrants. The flavours here are superb with a richness harnessed with forceful but refined tannins and hints of tomato, chocolate and plum. Should develop well over the next couple of years but is still fruity and highly drinkable. Notes ended with ‘bloody gorgeous’ and it is! " Scribblings Rating - 90/100

Andy Barrow, http://www.andys-scribblings.co.uk/, 2003

On Le Pinacle Syrah:-

"Quite exceptionally dark purplish crimson. Yes, Very Syrah: leather and tar and the ripe canon of luscious marinaded game. Very New World and open and fair bit obvious and jagged rather than typically Languedoc but very successful in that idiom. Massive alcohol is pretty obvious but the acidity and tannins are not obtrusive. This should have a long life and could already be enjoyed."

Jancis Robinson MW, www.jancisrobinson.com , September 2007

"Dense, complex - notes of blackberry, morello cherry, liquorice & spice. Classic Syrah - intense, pure fruit expression, with impressive structure & the oak & tannins knitting in nicely. The luxurious mouthfeel calls for slow-cooked meat casseroles & hard cheeses, like mature Gouda or a farmhouse Red Leicester. "

Neil Courtier, Grape Sense, October 2007

"A rich, smoky and spicy bramble nose.  Sophisticated perfumed bell pepper and violet fruit with elegant ripe tannins.  Supple, mineral and classy." Commended!

Andrew Jefford, Decanter World Wine Awards, 2006

"100% Syrah from the d'Oc, this wine is a careful selection of Syrah vineyard parcels, hand-picked and vinified for one year in French and American oak. It is dramatically dark and has a lovely nose, where finely seasoned berry fruits and chocolate intermingle with little camphor and floral notes, plenty of exotic, sandalwood spice and warming vanillin. On the palate the concentration and structure of the juicy, lithe Syrah fruit pushes through the mid-palate, with a sweep of smoky oak, ripe, chocolaty tannins and cherry-skin acidity adding lots of complexity. The fruit in this wine seems much better matched to the oak, and Domaine Sainte Rose's suggestion of five or six year's cellaring seems reasonable. A great wine from a moderate year this one, and very good indeed/excellent."

Tom Cannavan, wine-pages.com, 2005

"Deep purple. Intense velvet and plum fruit. Rich, dark concentrated, tight tannin, controlled oak. Up to 2 years." Bronze Medal Winner!

Andrew Jefford, Decanter World Wine Awards, 2004 

"The best syrah based wine I have tasted from the 2002 vintage"

JP Bauermeister, Les Vins de la Collégiale, Switzerland 2004

"Our star wine for March is the superb Domaine Sainte Rose Pinacle Syrah.  But I am not going to tell you about this.  I can't see how the deep, deep colour or the spice led mulberry nose could possibly be of interest.  The palate, gloriously rich, with lightly peppered, every lasting blackfruit flavours, with a good tannic structure and well balanced acidity is really not for you.  No, this wine is far, far too good to drink.  Far, far too good to share and should happily reside in my cellar for a good few years, thank you very much.  So move along to the next wine please and leave all this for me!" Scribblings Rating - 90/100

Andy Barrow, http://www.andys-scribblings.co.uk/, 2004.