Unlike summer sippers, these aged pink wines are matured in oak.

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Despite the fact that summer is coming to an end, there's no need to stop drinking rosé. You can select a rosé wine that has been matured in oak from a small subset of wines that are a bit more sophisticated than the typical summer sippers and are best paired with fine cuisine and special occasions. Often compared to white Burgundy, these wines can be cellared for several years before drinking, giving them even more depth to their already complex flavors and enhancing their taste profile.

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In order to make aged and age-worthy rosés, winemakers separate grapes from their best plots. In partnership with Château Miraval, Famille Perrin CEO Marc Perrin says Musique de Miraval was made from the two best and oldest parcels of Grenache and Rolle — you might know the latter as Vermentino — in the Miraval château. There is a big difference between Muse and the château's ordinary offerings, which are vinified in steel tanks, but Muse is aged in barrels of 600 liters in concrete vessels instead of steel tanks as is the case with the château's everyday offerings.

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As Jean-François Ott, fourth generation proprietor of Domaines Ott, states that many rosés were dead after one year in the past, he produces three single-estate rosés at Domaines Ott. However, he explains that, now, “if the grape quality is good at harvest, and the balance of the wine, its acidity and structure, is perfect, you can definitely age rosé.”

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A few wineries in southern France and the Bandol region, where Château Romassan is located, have been known for the consistency of their high-quality rosé wines for many years, but only a handful of them are aging their pink wines in the bottle. It is a great idea to start your collection with these three.

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Muse de Miraval 2018 ($390)

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This is the pinnacle release of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and the Perrin family, produced in a limited edition of 2,000 specially engraved magnums. In addition to the cherry pie flavor and passion fruit, there is a touch of smoke, as well as a long, smooth finish that is complemented by good weight on the palate.

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Château d’Esclans 2019 Garrus ($100)

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This is the first wood-aged Provençal rosé to make its way into collectors' cellars. It fetches about five times the price of Whispering Angel, which is a popular, mass-produced wine. With the flavors of white peach, strawberry, fig, and vanilla, as well as a palate-filling texture, this wine offers a vanilla-strewn finish with a hint of thyme that captivates the senses.

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Domaines Ott Château Romassan 2020 Bandol Rosé ($55)

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In addition to having flavors of ripe summer peaches and lemon curd, this rosé has a bright finish and is aged in oak casks for six to eight months. It is evident from tasting vintages back to 2014 that the wines have developed more complexity over the past several years, while the acidity and fruit flavors remain intact at the same time.