I've been fortunate to know Gilles and Pascale Pons, the proprietors of Château les Valentines, for well over a decade. From the very beginning, I was drawn to the purity and restraint of their wines. Their estate lies in La Londe-les-Maures, on the Mediterranean side of the Côtes de Provence, where schist soils produce rosés with remarkable tension and minerality. Just a few miles from the sea, the vineyards benefit from cooling maritime breezes that impart a subtle saline edge, while the family's commitment to certified organic farming allows this exceptional terroir to speak with even greater clarity. The first wine they ever poured for me was Caprice des Clémentines. Named after their then-young daughter—now in her mid-twenties—it was conceived as an introduction to the estate's style, blending fruit from their own vineyards with carefully selected partner growers' parcels. It was an instant favorite with both our staff and customers. Over the past few vintages, however, the wine has become entirely estate grown, and the added precision and character are unmistakable. When Gilles and Pascale parted ways with their national importer, I asked if they would consider joining our Direct Import program. Fortunately, they said yes, and for the past several years Château les Valentines has become a new cornerstone of our Provence portfolio. They embody exactly what we look for: a family-owned estate farming responsibly, producing wines that clearly express their place, and delivering exceptional value vintage after vintage. The new Caprice is an even blend of Grenache and Cinsault, bursting with notes of wild strawberry, papaya, nectarine, and wet stone. The balance is what keeps me coming back. Bright acidity, a gentle mineral streak, and an effortless freshness make it a wine that shines at the table. During my recent visit to the estate, I enjoyed it with several meals, but my favorite moment came before dinner at Gilles and Pascale's home. A simple platter of crudités, a few friends gathered on the patio, and a chilled bottle of Caprice were all it took to remind me why this wine has remained one of my perennial Provence favorites.