The Barrel Selection

In 2004 we created The Barrel Selection, which is a range of special, one-off cuvées initially produced from the exceptional growing conditions that we experienced in 2003. These wines were produced from the very best of each grape variety and in very small quantities, (two or three barrels of each). This special selection has proved to be a very popular range with the Low Yield Roussanne, the Old Vine Grenache and the CSM Blend quickly selling out. You will find the Roussanne on the wine list at the highly respected London restaurant ‘Le Gavroche’.

We kept three other reds from 2003 in our temperature controlled cellar to mature in the bottle. These are the Riverside Cabernet Sauvignon and the Traditional Alicante Blend. The tannins and structure of these wines required some time to soften and integrate. They have now been released and are already receiving accolades. The Green Harvested Merlot won a medal in the 2007 Decanter World Wine Awards and the Traditional Alicante Blend won a regional award at a local Gourmande festival here in France as the perfect accompaniment to chocolate!

For prices and availability, please write to us at bselection@sainte-rose.com

Barrel Selection Roussanne press quotes:

"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, September 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 September 2007.

 Domaine Sainte Rose is delighted to announce that its Barrel Selection Roussanne has been selected as the Roussanne Trophy Winner in the Top 100 Vins de Pays of France 2007! 100 winners from 1,115 entries were selected with only 16 Trophies being awarded. "Full-on toasty, buttery oak, hint of cedar.  Textured, rich and complex with lemony, citrussy acidity giving a zesty lime finish."

"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

Tim Atkin of the Observer says "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."

Terre de Vins says "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

Given 4 stars by Decanter in their March 2007 issue: “Rich, creamy, exotic nose.  Juicy, tangy fruit on the palate with notes of mandarin.  Long, fresh and interesting.  Up to 2009!”

Anthony Rose of The Independent recommends the Domaine Sainte Rose, Barrel Selection Roussanne.  "An intense and oak-fermented southern French dry white with distinctive mineral undertones and lightly honeyed richness."

Tim Atkin of The Observer Magazine rates the Domaine Sainte Rose, 2004 Barrel Selection Roussanne as one of the top wines from 2006.  "Rich, creamy, honeysuckle-like white with lovely balance."

Domaine Sainte Rose is delighted to announce that its Barrel Selection Low-Yield Roussanne has been selected in the Top 100 Vins de Pays, 2006!  The successful wines will be available for tasting at the London Wine & Spirits Fair (Stand # I40L).

Barrel Selection Merlot:

"This wine, made by a British couple living in the Languedoc region in the South of France, is on of those rare and delicious parcels of wine that we wish was always on the wines list. Since purchasing the estate in 2002, Charles and Ruth Simpson have created some amazing wines and are gaining accolades from around the world. This Merlot is from the special 'barrel selection', meaning it has been aged in-barrel and was made from carefully selected top-quality grapes. The result is a very elegant Merlot with aromas of cassis and liquorice and a palate full of ripe plums and damson fruit." Justin Howard-Sneyd, Waitrose.

Bronze Medal Winner in the 2007 Decanter World Wine Awards. "Intense yet elegant.  Fresh plum fruit.  Olive and ripe fruit on the finish.  Dry.  Good length."

Barrel Selection Cabernet:

Beautiful purple concentrated colour.  Compact fruit, tobacco, vanilla.  It gives the impression of a new world wine i.e. very accessible to drink now.  Real cabernet in the mouth with ripe tannins and supple.  La Carafe, Belgium