After twenty years at renowned Languedoc estate Saint Martin de la Garrigue, talented vigneron Jean-Claude Zabalia wanted to strike out on his own. He established Château des Deux Rocs in the Vallée des Crozes in Cabrières after an extensive examination of terroirs across the region. He was looking for something special and he found it. The valley he chose is sheltered from the fierce winds of the south while benefiting from long hours of sunshine, and the vines are planted on slopes facing south and south-west. The altitude tempers the Mediterranean temperatures and the site offers deep schist soils in which to plant. The conditions give him the concentration of flavour that he wants but also finesse, particularly in his rosé wines.
As it happens, the appellation had a reputation for its rosés before Jean-Claude’s arrival but he has only enhanced it. Cinsault dominates the rosé (60%) with syrah (25%) and grenache (15%) on the undercard. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified by variety using indigenous yeasts, and once in tank the wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation. After blending and ageing on its fine lees in stainless steel for three months, it is bottled.