Can Rosé Age? Domaines Ott Is Betting Its Reputation on It

As it celebrates its 130th anniversary, Provence icon Domaines Ott has unveiled the 2024 vintage of Étoile, a rosé built around a concept that remains unusual in the world of rosé: ageing potential.

For most consumers, rosé is synonymous with freshness, vibrant fruit and effortless drinkability. Few bottles are purchased with the intention of cellaring, and most are consumed within a few years of release. The category’s success has long been built on youth, immediacy and seasonal appeal.

Étoile challenges that assumption.

According to Jean-François Ott, General Manager of Domaines Ott, the wine occupies a singular position within the estate’s portfolio. Over successive vintages, it has demonstrated that rosé can offer something more than youthful charm: the ability to evolve in bottle, gain complexity with age and hold its own at the dining table alongside more traditionally revered fine wines.

At the heart of that ambition lies Domaines Ott’s long-standing fascination with terroir and blending.

Three Estates, One Expression

Étoile brings together wines from Domaines Ott’s three historic estates: Château de Selle, Clos Mireille and Château Romassan.

Spread across Provence’s two flagship appellations, Côtes de Provence and Bandol, the estates each contribute a distinct interpretation of the region’s terroir.

Overlooking the Mediterranean, Clos Mireille’s clay and schist soils lend freshness, minerality and a subtle maritime character. Château de Selle, planted on limestone-rich soils, contributes finesse, precision and a silky texture. Château Romassan, located in Bandol, adds structure, depth and layers of spice derived from its limestone sandstone and sandy marl soils.

Rather than showcasing a single vineyard, Étoile seeks to create something greater through the dialogue between them.

“Each year, we craft it freely. The challenge is not to reproduce a formula, but to seek the most balanced expression,” said Jean-François Ott.

“Where each of our three estates expresses the identity of a terroir, Étoile explores the richness of their dialogue.”

The 2024 vintage is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre.

The presence of Mourvèdre is particularly significant. Sourced from Château Romassan in Bandol, one of France’s most respected rosé appellations, it brings a dimension rarely associated with the category. Long regarded as one of the few regions capable of producing truly age-worthy rosés, Bandol has built its reputation on Mourvèdre’s ability to deliver structure, complexity and longevity. Those same qualities form the backbone of Étoile’s ageing potential.

A Legacy 130 Years in the Making

The release of Étoile 2024 coincides with a milestone year for Domaines Ott.

Founded in 1896 by Marcel Ott, the family estate has grown into one of Provence’s most influential producers and is widely credited with helping elevate rosé from a seasonal beverage to a serious fine wine category with global appeal.

In 2004, the estate was acquired by Champagne house Louis Roederer. Yet despite the change in ownership, the Ott family remains closely involved, with fourth-generation family member Jean-François Ott continuing to play a leading role in the business.

Under his stewardship, the estate has maintained its commitment to sustainable viticulture and terroir-driven winemaking. Since the 2022 vintage, all three estates have been certified organic and farmed according to practices inspired by biodynamic principles.

For a producer with more than a century of history, Étoile represents both continuity and evolution: a reflection of the family’s enduring philosophy and a statement about where rosé might be headed next.

Beyond Fresh and Fruity

The launch comes at a time when wine producers around the world are searching for new ways to create value in a slowing market.

For Provence rosé, a category long defined by freshness and immediacy, one path forward may lie in premiumisation. A small but growing number of producers are exploring rosés designed not merely for casual consumption, but for cellaring, collecting and pairing with fine cuisine.

The objective is not simply to sell a more expensive rosé. It is to challenge perceptions of what rosé can be.

Viewed through that lens, Étoile represents more than a new wine release. It is part of a broader effort to push the category beyond its traditional boundaries and secure a place for rosé within the fine wine conversation.

The new release is available in Hong Kong through Links Concept.