Thursday, May 21, 2026 rosé wine review is from Southern Rhone Cru of Tavel, which is typically a Grenache-based blend. As a perennial favourite of mine, I am delighted to see the latest vintage of this excellent, organic, and dry rosé arrive at the LCBO in this weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and is already widely available for purchase across the province.
It is produced by Château d'Aqueria, a benchmark estate considered to be one of the jewels of the Southern Rhône Valley that is situated in Cru of Tavel. The historic property was established in 1595 when Louis Joseph d'Aqueria purchased this prime vine-growing area of Tavel known as "Puy Sablonneux" from the monks at the Abbey in Villeneuve les Avignon. Robert d'Aqueria, son of Louis Joseph, and hereditary Count Palatine built a home on the site which was transformed in the 18th century into the Château as we know it today.
The Château and the surrounding area had been in the hands of numerous families since that time, until the estate was acquired in 1919 by Jean Olivier, a doctor of law. Jean passed the estate on to his daughters Mireille de Bez and Nicole Boccon-Gibod. Paul de Bez, son-in-law of Jean, took over management of the property. When Vincent and Bruno de Bez, the sons of Paul, began running the family business in 1984, it represented three generations of the family that put this historically significant place on the map as a stand-out property in the appellations of Tavel and Lirac.
Today, Château d'Aqueria is owned by the Guigal family as they took over the reins from the de Bez family in May 2022. While Château d'Aqueria has been practicing sustainable viticulture for many years, after the acquisition, the Guigal family announced that Aqueria would be converting to certified organic viticulture, and beginning with the 2025 vintage they began producing certified organic wines.
While Aqueria may be under new ownership, the philosophy at the estate remains the same — in search of excellence. Their goal is to also preserve the history and memory of the people who accompanied these excellent terroirs throughout the years. Furthermore, they are taking steps to bring to light the rich diversity of the estate by observing and understanding the land, while also maintaining the centuries-old tradition of conservation and respect for the vineyards. The vinification process at Château d'Aqueria is managed with exact precision so that each wine can offer the purest expression of these terroirs, and at the same time craft exceptional wines.
This rosé has been crafted for over 30 years and, for the first time in its history, it bears the certified organic designation beginning with the 2025 vintage. The wine is typically a blend of several varieties, and in this particular vintage it is composed of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc. The grapes were grown on clayey-sandy hillsides, and upon harvest, each variety was carefully de-stemmed and chilled prior to placing in vats. The varieties were blended two-by-two during the 12 to 24-hour maceration phase in order to enhance aromatic complexity. Once the desired colour was obtained, the entire tank was bled and the marcs (grape pomace) pressed at length, which then goes into the free-run wine. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled tanks for 15 days, after which the wine was matured in both stainless and concrete tanks for 6 months, then bottled and released.
The growing season in 2025 in the Southern Rhone was marked by a series of heatwaves. It began with a mild winter with sufficient rainfall to replenish the soils, followed by a balmy spring. Serious heat arrived during summer, which was beneficial for vines in Tavel, but also cut yields during this hot and fast-growing season. However, autumn rains cooled down the temperatures just enough to prevent overripening and preserve acidity and aromatics. Overall, quality is high in this vintage. Let's see how this 2025 Tavel Rosé is tasting tonight...
This lovely organic rosé is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc. Lovely, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers attractive and complex aromas of ripe red berry, strawberry, cherry, and cranberry nuanced with fine mineral undertones and accents of dried spice, and grapefruit citrus. The weighty, medium-full bodied palate is dry with delicious and complex red berry, dried spice, and stony mineral flavours, plus touches of grapefruit zest. It has clean, vibrant acidity, along with a slightly chalky and tannic textured mouthfeel on the slightly spicy mid-palate. Mineral notes linger on the long, textured finish. Always great and a highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts
One other wine by Château d'Aqueria is available at the LCBO (in small quantities), while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.
It is produced by Château d'Aqueria, a benchmark estate considered to be one of the jewels of the Southern Rhône Valley that is situated in Cru of Tavel. The historic property was established in 1595 when Louis Joseph d'Aqueria purchased this prime vine-growing area of Tavel known as "Puy Sablonneux" from the monks at the Abbey in Villeneuve les Avignon. Robert d'Aqueria, son of Louis Joseph, and hereditary Count Palatine built a home on the site which was transformed in the 18th century into the Château as we know it today.
The Château and the surrounding area had been in the hands of numerous families since that time, until the estate was acquired in 1919 by Jean Olivier, a doctor of law. Jean passed the estate on to his daughters Mireille de Bez and Nicole Boccon-Gibod. Paul de Bez, son-in-law of Jean, took over management of the property. When Vincent and Bruno de Bez, the sons of Paul, began running the family business in 1984, it represented three generations of the family that put this historically significant place on the map as a stand-out property in the appellations of Tavel and Lirac.
Today, Château d'Aqueria is owned by the Guigal family as they took over the reins from the de Bez family in May 2022. While Château d'Aqueria has been practicing sustainable viticulture for many years, after the acquisition, the Guigal family announced that Aqueria would be converting to certified organic viticulture, and beginning with the 2025 vintage they began producing certified organic wines.
While Aqueria may be under new ownership, the philosophy at the estate remains the same — in search of excellence. Their goal is to also preserve the history and memory of the people who accompanied these excellent terroirs throughout the years. Furthermore, they are taking steps to bring to light the rich diversity of the estate by observing and understanding the land, while also maintaining the centuries-old tradition of conservation and respect for the vineyards. The vinification process at Château d'Aqueria is managed with exact precision so that each wine can offer the purest expression of these terroirs, and at the same time craft exceptional wines.
This rosé has been crafted for over 30 years and, for the first time in its history, it bears the certified organic designation beginning with the 2025 vintage. The wine is typically a blend of several varieties, and in this particular vintage it is composed of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc. The grapes were grown on clayey-sandy hillsides, and upon harvest, each variety was carefully de-stemmed and chilled prior to placing in vats. The varieties were blended two-by-two during the 12 to 24-hour maceration phase in order to enhance aromatic complexity. Once the desired colour was obtained, the entire tank was bled and the marcs (grape pomace) pressed at length, which then goes into the free-run wine. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled tanks for 15 days, after which the wine was matured in both stainless and concrete tanks for 6 months, then bottled and released.
The growing season in 2025 in the Southern Rhone was marked by a series of heatwaves. It began with a mild winter with sufficient rainfall to replenish the soils, followed by a balmy spring. Serious heat arrived during summer, which was beneficial for vines in Tavel, but also cut yields during this hot and fast-growing season. However, autumn rains cooled down the temperatures just enough to prevent overripening and preserve acidity and aromatics. Overall, quality is high in this vintage. Let's see how this 2025 Tavel Rosé is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
CHÂTEAU D'AQUERIA CRU DES CÔTES DU RHÔNE TAVEL ROSÉ 2025 - AOP, France (#319368) (XD) - $25.95This lovely organic rosé is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Bourboulenc. Lovely, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers attractive and complex aromas of ripe red berry, strawberry, cherry, and cranberry nuanced with fine mineral undertones and accents of dried spice, and grapefruit citrus. The weighty, medium-full bodied palate is dry with delicious and complex red berry, dried spice, and stony mineral flavours, plus touches of grapefruit zest. It has clean, vibrant acidity, along with a slightly chalky and tannic textured mouthfeel on the slightly spicy mid-palate. Mineral notes linger on the long, textured finish. Always great and a highly recommended buy! Score: 92 pts
One other wine by Château d'Aqueria is available at the LCBO (in small quantities), while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.
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