Bieler Rose Sabine 2008

For years the Bieler family made fantastic rosés and other wines under the Ch. Routas label in Provence, and Bieler Père et Fils continues that tradition. Located in the heart of southern France on the sunny hills of Provence, this is a fresh, polished and DRY style of rosé made in the traditional fashion.

"The Coteaux d'Aix en Provence appellation is in the hills surrounding the town of Aix and is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah verses the more Grenache and Cinsault dominated roses of the Cotes de Provence appellation (which is the larger Provence growing area). We focused in on the Aix region as we felt that it was the perfect ‘steel fist in the velvet glove' type balance as it yields something with a little more power but all the finesse and beauty that you'd expect from the other parts of Provence.

I must admit that I never felt that Cabernet Sauvignon was a proper rose grape but year after year, blending session after blending session, I've been proven wrong. In the Coteaux d'Aix, Cabernet Sauvignon brings a back bone to the wine that is super necessary. With this ‘08 vintage it's 60% of the blend with25% Grenache and 15% Syrah. The terrain is hilly and the soil is limestone dominated. 2008 is a less intense vintage that the previous years, meaning less color and fruit opulence. As a result there's more of a floral and citrus component and not quite as rich as palate as the last few years."
- Charles Bieler