2021 AIX Rose Nebuchadnezzar (15 liter)

The AIX is one of the best known Dutch top roses next to the Minuty, Ott , Tropez and Miraval. The wine ferments slowly at the exceptionally low temperature of only about 12 degrees Celsius. The hard work of the continuous attention of the AIX team in the vineyards is maximally rewarded with a harvest in excellent health. The AIX rose is a great refined, dry and very tasteful rosé with flavors of red forest fruit, cherries, strawberries and fresh figs. In the nose aromas of ripe mandarin oranges, raspberries and wild strawberries with a pinch of spices. This rosé can compete with the very best.

This version is a 15 liter Nebuchadnezzar in an incredibly beautiful bottle. To withstand volume and pressure, this is a very thick glass (expensive) bottle. an absolute eye-catcher of which only a handful of bottles are made.

Winner Concours Générale in Paris. The Saint Aix wine estate covers 85 hectares, 75 hectares of which are planted vines with the grape varieties Cinsault, Carignan, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah for red and rosé. Rolle, Ugni Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc for the white wines. About 20 km east of the main street in Provence, Aix en Provence, at an altitude of 350 meters, you will find the 136-year-old domain here. The original name is Domaine La Grande Seouve, but since the current owner (Eric Kurver) took over, the name has been renamed Domaine Saint Aix. The vineyard is located on a slightly sloping terrain with a ridge on one side and forest on the other. The Mistral from the cooler north occasionally passes by and functions as a natural protection against any diseases in the vineyard. More than 2200 hours of sunshine per year give the grapes a lot of heat during the day and the cooler nights ensure a balanced ripening process.

Cees van Casteren

One of two masters of wine in the Netherlands (April 2011)

Brilliant sparkling with pink tinge. Delicate perfume of ripe mandarin oranges, raspberries and wild strawberries, slightly spicy. Also in the taste again a tribute to red forest fruit, cherries, strawberries and fresh fig, though very refined and subdued, with a hint of thyme. Ideal as an aperitif, but also as a lunch rosé when combined with seafood, salads, grilled tuna and roasted spring chicken!”

Harold Hamersma

Famous Dutch wine journalist (March 2012)

The debut of AIX in 2009 was very good. AIX 2010 was even better. And, AIX Rosé 2011 is the best so far. It is fresher, more exciting and cheerful. Red forest fruit, a little apricot and delicate spiciness. Subtle, full of energy and simply excellent!”

Harold Hamersma wrote the following about the AIX 2012:

'With his first harvest (2009) from Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, Eric Kurver, the Dutch owner of AIX, got the hands of wine juries, sommeliers and drinkers. At home and abroad. His 2010 harvest was better and 2011 I found even tastier. Fresher, more lively, more cheerful. Red berries, a timid apricot, introverted spiciness. Et voilà, its 2012. From a year when the whole of France almost rained off the wine list. In some regions, up to 50 percent less was harvested, bankruptcies were the order of the day and those who wanted a good drink had to select well.

There was also less harvest in Provence, but AIX had no problems with its creditors. The only thing that was sometimes disappointing is that people on the domaine could hardly handle the demand.

A great success in the Netherlands. AIX is also the hit on Ibiza, where the magnums in the beach bars that matter in particular are hard to come by. Moreover, the new rich in Dubai have been given this slick-looking and ditto-tasting rosé. Hope it turns out fine...

Too often I tasted one vintage wonders. Or as star chef Jan de Wit of Le Restaurant recently said to me: 'Eating somewhere at a star level doesn't mean that such a place deserves a star. Constantly performing at that level, that's what it's about.'

Anyway, AIX 2012. The fourth harvest year in a row for which enthusiasts are lining up. I tasted a brand new edition in early February and noted candy strawberry, sweet raspberry, a slight spiciness and a pleasant freshness.

The somewhat more economical 2012 harvest year has generously endowed AIX.'

February 2013, Harold Hamersma