Liquid Alchemy: How Minuty’s 2024 Rosés Transformed Dinner Into a Mediterranean Dream.
Some wines accompany a meal, and then some wines become the meal. At a recent dinner at RH Guest House, the 2024 vintages of Château Minuty’s Prestige and 281 rosés didn’t just pair with the food—they commanded attention, revealing new layers of complexity with each course and proving why this Provençal estate remains the unrivalled master of wine.
From the first pour, the Minuty Prestige Rosé set the tone with its luminous coral hue and an aromatic overture of florals, apricot, and yellow peach. But this was no simple summer sipper—the palate unfolded with deliberate artistry: 80% Grenache provided a silken structure, while 5% Tibouren (a rare Provençal grape) lent an earthy whisper beneath the bright citrus notes. Then came that signature Minuty flourish—a lingering saline finish that evoked the Mediterranean breeze, so precise it could have been sprayed from a mist bottle. Paired with avocado and caviar, the wine performed alchemy, its acidity slicing through the richness while its subtle herbal notes elevated the briny roe.
Minuty 281, Photo credits: Minuty Photographer
If the Prestige was a sonnet, the Minuty 281 was a full symphony. Decanted from its iconic deep blue bottle (a nod to the sea that shapes its terroir), this wine announced itself with a nose of lychee and white peach. On the palate, the 90% Grenache delivered a velvety weight balanced by 5% Rolle, which crackled like sea salt on the tongue. The finish was delicate yet bold, evolving from ripe fruit to wet stone—a testament to the meticulous blending that makes 281 special. With grilled branzino, it didn’t just complement; it transformed, its vibrant acidity acting as a citrus garnish while its textural depth mirrored the fish’s smoky char. I purposely kept both glasses to try the fish with both the white and rosé, and both highlighted different flavours in the fish. Truly a testament to how a good wine pairing changes the food.
Even dessert—a grapefruit shaved ice—became a canvas for the Minuty’s versatility. Against the tart crystals, the Rose et OR revealed hidden dimensions, its saline finish creating a savory counterpoint that transformed it into the perfect dessert wine. The Rose et OR 2024 vintage is the embodiment of elegance, with aromas of citrus and wild herbs. On the palate, an impression of lightness.
Minuty Rose et OR, Photo credits: Minuty Photographer
The 2024 vintage trio cements Minuty’s status not just as a benchmark for Provence but as a global standard-bearer for what rosé can achieve.
The Knockturnal’s parting thought? Buy both. The Prestige is summer captured in a bottle—immediately joyful yet complex enough to intrigue. The 281, meanwhile, is a collector’s wine—structured, layered, and worthy of a decade in the cellar. Together, they prove that great rosé isn’t just drunk; it’s experienced.
