Domaine Henri Milan - Papillon rosé 2014

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The Henri Milan estate, well known in Parisian wine circles for its “natural wines” (made without added sulfur), produces a much broader range of wines on its 15 hectares of vineyards just outside Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Established since 1956 within the Baux-de-Provence appellation, the estate left the appellation in 2007 to pursue its own path in line with the philosophy of Henri, a man of conviction and an explorer of winemaking with as few inputs as possible. He also decided to label all his wines as “Vin de France” in order to maintain complete freedom in his choices. Since 2013, his daughter Emmanuelle has been gradually taking the reins. Since then, the wines have been moving toward greater precision—and we’re not complaining.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

The 2014 Papillon Rosé (sulfur-free) is a wine of rare intensity for its color. Notes of fresh figs and pepper, along with its slight tannic bite, make it an extraordinary rosé—truly original and delicious, and far from any passing trend!

About the estate:

In the Galine district of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a small town in the Alpilles region highly prized by an affluent clientele, the iconoclastic Henri Milan, supported by his son, Théo, remains true to the boldly unconventional wines he pioneered in the 1990s. Winemaking methods that deviate from academic standards, carried out with minimal sulfur, highlight the lively expressions of fruit derived primarily from limestone scree and blue marl. Produced through short maceration of Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, Cinsault, and Cabernet Sauvignon, the reds are flavorful, ranging from fruit-forward cuvées to the ambitious S&X, Eliott, and Le Clos. The identity of the whites—La Carrée (pure Roussanne) and Le Grand Blanc (Grenache Blanc, Rolle, Roussanne, Chardonnay, Muscat Petit Grains)—is defined by a striking prominence of clean, distinct flavors.