Château Minuty
281 Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend
Côtes de Provence, Provence, France
Captivating from the first tilt of the glass, the 2022 Rosé 281 soothes the senses with sweet floral perfumes, chlorophyll, peach skins, cracked slate and white pepper. Silky and enveloping, this impresses further with its mix of savory and sweet, blending minerals and sour citrus with white strawberries and spice. Everything is in perfect balance as the 281 finishes crisply refreshing yet potent. The 2022 leaves a mouthwatering tension as lemon oil and mint nuances fade (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2023)
Captivating from the first tilt of the glass, the 2022 Rosé 281 soothes the senses with sweet floral perfumes, chlorophyll, peach skins, cracked slate and white pepper. Silky and enveloping, this impresses further with its mix of savory and sweet, blending minerals and sour citrus with white strawberries and spice. Everything is in perfect balance as the 281 finishes crisply refreshing yet potent. The 2022 leaves a mouthwatering tension as lemon oil and mint nuances fade (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2023)
Jun 22nd, 2023Pale orange-pink. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, blood orange, lavender, chalky minerals and white pepper. Taut and sharply focused on the palate, showing superb definition and mineral lift to its juicy strawberry, pomegranate, orange zest, tarragon and floral pastille flavors. The mineral note drives an impressively long and sharply defined finish, which leaves resonating red fruit and floral notes behind. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, July 2022)
Pale orange-pink. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, blood orange, lavender, chalky minerals and white pepper. Taut and sharply focused on the palate, showing superb definition and mineral lift to its juicy strawberry, pomegranate, orange zest, tarragon and floral pastille flavors. The mineral note drives an impressively long and sharply defined finish, which leaves resonating red fruit and floral notes behind. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, July 2022)
Pale pink orange; medium intensity aromas of strawberry, lemon, lime; dry, medium plus acid, medium alcohol, medium body, medium intensity flavors consistent with aromas; only moderately complex and concentrated
Pale pink orange; medium intensity aromas of strawberry, lemon, lime; dry, medium plus acid, medium alcohol, medium body, medium intensity flavors consistent with aromas; only moderately complex and concentrated
Oct 3rd, 2020
This recently caught my eye, mostly because it was a $75 bottle of rosé — it’s rare to come across any rosé more than $40 (aside from Champagne), but also because of its distinctive design (I should’ve trademarked the drip).
The origin of Château Minuty dates to the early 18th century. The Matton-Farnet family has owned the estate since 1936, with its third generation, brothers Jean-Etienne and François Matton currently at the helm.
The Château’s vineyards are situated on limestone and schist hills outside the Provençal village of Gassin and overlooking the bay and city of Saint-Tropez. They exclusively produce rosé.
For their cuveé 281, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, the Mattons enlisted Hubert de Malherbe to design the bottle, who worked on several Veuve Clicquot designs as well as Dior perfume bottles and stores. The blue is said to represent the Mediterranean Sea and sky, both of which have significant influence in shaping the wine’s character. The exact shade of blue is Pantone 281.
The wine opens with melon, citrus peel, and stone fruit, all of which translate through to the palate. That’s where the intensity ratchets up, with pungent, rocky minerality set against a backdrop of herbs and a generous seasoning of sea salt. Everything melds together before taking the long ride home on a bright beam of acid. Superb.
This recently caught my eye, mostly because it was a $75 bottle of rosé — it’s rare to come across any rosé more than $40 (aside from Champagne), but also because of its distinctive design (I should’ve trademarked the drip).
The origin of Château Minuty dates to the early 18th century. The Matton-Farnet family has owned the estate since 1936, with its third generation, brothers Jean-Etienne and François Matton currently at the helm.
The Château’s vineyards are situated on limestone and schist hills outside the Provençal village of Gassin and overlooking the bay and city of Saint-Tropez. They exclusively produce rosé.
For their cuveé 281, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, the Mattons enlisted Hubert de Malherbe to design the bottle, who worked on several Veuve Clicquot designs as well as Dior perfume bottles and stores. The blue is said to represent the Mediterranean Sea and sky, both of which have significant influence in shaping the wine’s character. The exact shade of blue is Pantone 281.
The wine opens with melon, citrus peel, and stone fruit, all of which translate through to the palate. That’s where the intensity ratchets up, with pungent, rocky minerality set against a backdrop of herbs and a generous seasoning of sea salt. Everything melds together before taking the long ride home on a bright beam of acid. Superb.
Powerful Rosé with intense strawberry flavor. One of the best Provençal Roses. Just a great buy, and a superstar at my Central Park picnic.
Powerful Rosé with intense strawberry flavor. One of the best Provençal Roses. Just a great buy, and a superstar at my Central Park picnic.
Jul 31st, 2021
Lovely mellowing rose with trout dip on a hot sunny day in Key West.
Lovely mellowing rose with trout dip on a hot sunny day in Key West.
May 10th, 2021
Nicely balanced, minerallly, light fruit.
Nicely balanced, minerallly, light fruit.
Aug 2nd, 2019