I have just received a report on the fastest growing wine brands and out of the 46 mentioned only one was from France. There are the playful names like “Fancy Pants” and “Ooh La La”, but the French one is serious and it is Chateau d’Esclans, that we represent.

In 2006 Sasha Lichine purchased this Chateau in Provence as he was convinced by the potential of these sun-drenched soils. His goal was to produce the finest Rosé possible and this he has done as he has virtually redefined what Rosé can rise to in this area, or indeed the world. His enviable track record is 17,000 cases in 2010, 22,000 in 2011, 33,000 in 2012 and 50,000 in 2013. Despite this we have managed to run out of his Whispering Angel for each of the last three years by summer’s end and he has not had any more to sell us until the new vintage has been released.

With worldwide Rosé sales up over 13 percent during the last eight years and now accounting for ten percent of all wine made, I believe that we have moved early and secured enough of his wines to last until the new release in the winter of 2015. For those of you from the “Old Country” I can tell you that between 2005 and 2009 sales of this category almost doubled in the UK.

Our 2013 Whispering Angel that sells for $25.55 (you get a ten percent discount on a six-pack case) is a blend of well known Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, and little known Rolle and Tibouren. This Rosé is juicy and bright with racy acidity, fresh raspberry and cherry. It is smooth, balanced, long on the aftertaste and charming. Well chilled it is just plain delicious. For the first time we have half bottles for $13.55. Magnums are packaged in a three magnum case and they are $49.95.

Let me share a secret with you. Our 2012 Chateau d’Esclans “Esclans” 2012 should sell for over $30 but we bought in large stocks to fill in for the missing Angel last autumn and we have decided, for now, to peg to the price of Whispering Angel at $25.55. The Wine Spectator wrote of this Rosé “90/100 Mouth-filling flavours of dried cherry, currant and ripe pear are flanked by concentrated notes of allspice and dark chocolate”.

If you want to pay more than you ever have for a Rosé then you should try the Chateau d’Esclans “Les Clans” 2011 for $57.05 (about $65 in the USA). This major departure from the way that Rosé typically tastes is uniquely delicious and drinks like a high end Burgundy with a buttery and minerally finish.

If you would like to experience a wine that has achieved cult status among the wealthy elite of the French Riviera and a wine that is at the absolute pinnacle of Rosé production, then we offer Chateau d’Esclans GARRUS 2008.

I cannot compare this with any other wine that I have ever tasted as it is so totally unique. The closest that I can suggest is that it is reminiscent of a great white Burgundy. Grenache and Rolle invoke pungent aromas of raspberry, blood orange, yellow rose, vanilla and musky herbs. As densely packed orchard fruit and red berry flavours expand in the mid-palate you also notice notes of melon and candied orange peel. Try with strong cheese or decadent shellfish. $67.10.

When I was chatting with Sasha Lichine a few months ago in New York he expressed interest in visiting our Island and I believe that this would be an opportunity for a great Rosé event!

This column is a paid advertorial for Burrows, Lightbourn Ltd. Michael Robinson is Director of Wine at Burrows, Lightbourn Ltd. He can be contacted at mrobinson@bll.bm or on 295-0176. Burrows, Lightbourn have stores in Hamilton (Front Street East, 295-1554), Paget (Harbour Road, 236-0355) and St George’s (York Street, 297-0409). A selection of their wines, beers and spirits are available online at www.wineonline.bm.