Château Revelette rosé 2015 (Magnum)

Vintage after vintage, Revelette has established itself as a grand cru of Provence. Tucked away in a valley on the north face of Mount Sainte-Victoire, Peter Fischer has been running the estate since the mid-1980s, employing cultivation methods that aim to be as natural as possible. Surrounded by forests, the vineyards are set in a wild, unspoiled setting and transform in the spring into a vast meadow of flowers. A generous soul by nature, Peter also keeps Kiki, a domesticated pig, as well as peacocks, chickens, dogs, and cats—a scene reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking’s home. This passion for life is reflected right down to the glass, in wines that are refined and well-balanced. Recently, the younger generation has been stepping up, and his daughter Clara is well on her way to taking on the challenge.

Revelette comprises 24 hectares of vineyards, with 12 plots located at altitudes ranging from 330 to 400 meters, planted with 9 grape varieties—primarily reds (Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah, and also Cabernet). This is the northernmost terroir in the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence appellation, located about thirty kilometers north of Aix, in Jouques. But Revelette is also—and above all—Peter Fischer and his partner Sandra, who manage the vineyard using organic farming methods, including plowing, natural grass cover, and the use of sheep manure, among other practices.

As a rosé, the 2015 is a fine classic of the appellation—pleasant and lively.

Located in a cool terroir in the higher elevations of the appellation, in the town of Jouques, and neighboring Château de Vignelaure, this magnificent estate has been in the hands of the talented Peter Fischer since the 1985 vintage. The vineyards have been certified organic since 1998. German by birth, Provençal by adoption, Peter Fischer broke new ground as early as the 1980s by planting Chardonnay in Provence with a vision of producing great white wines. At an altitude of about 400 meters, this terroir is ideal for preserving the brilliant balance found in the white wines that delight us today. We are, however, perplexed by the reds, which lack precision—a characteristic likely influenced by the winemaker’s level of rigor. Peter Fischer’s children, Clara and Hugo, now assist him at the estate.