Description
Le Clos du Caillou was established in 1895 by Elie Dussaud (the architect who created the Suez Canal and designed the port of Marseille). The property was mostly wooded and used as a hunting reserve. Le Clos du Caillou is a real ‘Clos’ of 17 ha surrounded by a 3 km wall and is all classified Cotes du Rhone as in 1936 when the appellation was established the inspectors were turned away by the gamekeeper of the estate bearing a gun telling them to leave. The experts were upset at the welcome and refused to classify this small yet beautiful parcel located not far from Chateau Rayas.
When the current family of owners (Claude Pouizin, succeeded by his daughter Sylvie Vacheron) bought the property in 1956 it was still largely a hunting estate and it was then that some clearing began and planting was undertaken of Cotes du Rhone within the Clos. The estate’s Châteauneuf vineyards mostly adjoin the vineyard of Le Clos du Caillou. In 2020 though the Vacheron family acquired the 13.3 hectare estate Domaine de Panisse, located just over a kilometre away in Courthézon. Here, surrounding the beautiful 19 century home lies another 6.8 hectares of prime Châteauneuf vineyard, with some vines just celebrating their 100th anniversary.
Clos du Caillou’s Châteauneuf vineyards are producing some of the most highly regarded and highly rated Châteauneuf du Papes today including the Quartz and La Reserve cuvées which come from vineyards adjoining the ‘Clos’ of Clos du Caillou where much of their best Cotes du Rhone originates from. The Châteauneuf lieu-dits that the estate owns vines in are all very close to the estate and winery in Pignan, Guigasse, Les Bedines, Les Cassanets and Coudoulet. These are all lieu-dits with higher elevation than most and more trees and woodlands surrounding.
‘They produce poised and silky wines of supreme finesse.’ Matt Walls, Wine of the Rhone, 2021.
“As usual, savvy buyers will seek out the named Côtes du Rhône bottlings .. often outperform Châteauneufs costing twice as much .. it is difficult to find a competitively priced Châteauneuf du Pape that provides as much sheer pleasure.” – Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Organic viticulture began in the 1950s and the estate was certified in 2009. Now much of the estate has been farmed biodynamically for almost 20 years. The vines planted in the 1950s and 1960s now have excellent age and the children of Sylvie are in the process of taking over the running of the estate working with Bruno Gaspard who has been overseeing the winemaking since 2002. The cellars are deep and very cool and enable perfect ageing in an assortment of large foudres demi-muids and some clay amphoras for 15-18 months for the best cuvees.
“The Vacheron family at Le Clos du Caillou turn out a long list of stellar wines in almost every vintage. Their several Côtes du Rhône bottlings often rival or surpass lesser producers’ Châteauneufs, and those wines (and the family’s Châteauneufs) authentically reflect their various terroirs, making the domaine’s cellars a learning experience every visit.” Joe Czerwiński, The Wine Advocate, September 2023.
About this wine: 80 % Grenache Noir, 10 % Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5 % Cinsault from 50% young vines and 50% from purchased fruit coming from the higher cooler vineyards of Vinsobres. Hand-picked and hand-sorted, then natural-yeast fermented in a mix of concrete and stainless steel tanks, with 20% whole bunches included. Matured in concrete tanks for 4 months. whole-bunch pressed and settled overnight at 10°C. Cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks and matured on fine lees for 4 months.
90 points, Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, September 2023 “Mainly Grenache, made with approximately 30% whole clusters, it’s an impressive effort, marked by big raspberry and strawberry fruit on the nose. It’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated, silky and long on the finish. It’s a terrific value, ideal for drinking over the next several years. Drink 2023-2030.’
RRP $51 *Our Special Price $39.50 when you buy 6 or more of this wine*
