Brotte Les Églantiers Tavel Rosé 2019 – A Rhône Valley Rosé

The Winery: De Père en Fils Since 1931

Maison Brotte was founded in 1931 and has been passed down from father to son ever since, preserving its family-owned and independent character. It was Charles Brotte who established the house in 1931, going on to become a pioneer by bottling his wines as early as 1935 — at a time when Rhône wines were still sold in barrels — and playing an enthusiastic role in building the reputation of the then newly created Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

Today, three generations work side by side: Jean-Pierre, Laurent, Christine, Thibault and Benoît Brotte. Brotte wines are now present in over 90 countries.

The Tavel Appellation

The Tavel vineyards lie just beyond the right bank of the Rhône, in the Gard département, on a plateau situated to the southwest of Orange. The AOC is divided into three distinct terroirs: sand and clay in the southeast, alluvial and pebble terraces in the northwest, and limestone scree in the west. These warm soils, combined with a highly windy Mediterranean climate, give rise to a powerful, fleshy, broad and well-structured rosé.

Tavel is the only French AOC dedicated exclusively to rosé wine, and is historically regarded as the benchmark for rosé in France.

The Wine

Les Églantiers is a rosé produced from a blend of four grape varieties — Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre — sourced from the Tavel wine-growing region in the southern Rhône Valley. According to a Wine Enthusiast review of the 2013 vintage, the classic blend for this cuvée comprises 60% Grenache, 20% Clairette and 20% Syrah.

Winemaking

The grapes are pressed to extract their juice, which then undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks over several weeks until the wine is ready for bottling.

Tasting Notes

This deep salmon-coloured rosé offers an intense and complex nose, with aromas of red fruit and violets. On the palate it is initially fresh and rounded, developing greater breadth and fruitiness over time. The winery’s official tasting notes describe a limpid, bright pink colour with notes of red fruits — sour cherry and strawberry — and hints of white-fleshed fruit such as peach. On the palate it reveals fresh fruit, wild strawberry and a gentle acidity, with a clear roundness, elegance and liveliness. The finish is notably fleshy.

The 2019 Vintage in the Rhône Valley

2019 was a warm and sunny vintage in the southern Rhône, producing wines of great fruit ripeness, concentration and structure. For Tavel rosés, it yielded wines with good body, intense colour and excellent aromatic expression.

Food Pairing

This Tavel pairs beautifully with sushi, summer salads, seafood lasagne and aged sheep’s cheese. It is also an ideal companion to grilled meats, rice dishes and Mediterranean cuisine in general.

In short, the Brotte Les Églantiers 2019 is a rosé of real character and depth — far removed from the light, pale styles currently in fashion. This is Tavel at its most authentic: full-bodied, structured and made for the table. A benchmark of the appellation, crafted by a family with over ninety years of history in the Rhône Valley.