Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve 2021

55 % Grenache Noir, 45 % Mourvèdre from 70 year-old vines in the lieu-dits of La Guigasse and Pignan, yielding only 19 hl/ha. Hand-picked and hand-sorted, 100 % destemmed then natural-yeast co-fermented in tronconique wooden casks. Cuvaison lasts 35 days with extraction via plunging and delestage (rack and return). Matured for 14 months in 88 % old demi-muids (600 L) and 12 % in amphora.

'The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve turned out magnificently and is one of the highlights of the vintage. The 2021 La Réserve was vinified from organically grown grapes - almost equally Grenache and Mourvèdre. Attractive aromas of predominantly red fruits, crushed flowers, thyme and exotic spices waft from the glass. It seamlessly lingers across the palate, dazzling with polished tannins and excellent freshness. The persistent finish is remarkable, with new flavors emerging long after the wine has left. Drink 2026-2042.’ 95 points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, April 2023.

'The old vine cuvee La Reserve is worthy of particular praise. Equal parts of Grenache and Mourvedre are de-stemmed (like all their reds) and co-fermented before being aged for 18 months in demi-muids and a small proportion of terracotta amphorae. The result is a spellbinding and utterly seductive Chateauneuf.' Matt Walls, Wines of the Rhone, 2021.

Le Clos du Caillou

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 producer's Châteauneufs, and those wines (and the family’s Châteauneufs) authentically reflect their various terroirs, making the domaine’s cellars a learning experience every visit.

Clos du Caillou’s Chateauneuf vineyards are producing some of the most highly regarded and rated Chateauneuf du Papes today including the Quartz and La Reserve cuvees which come from vineyards adjoining the 'Clos' of Clos du Caillou where much of their best Côtes du Rhône originates from. The Chateauneuf lieu-dits that the estate owns vines in are all very close to the estate and winery: Pignan, Guigasse, Les Bedines, Les Cassanets and Coudoulet.

“They produce poised and silky wines of supreme finesse.”
Matt Walls, Wine of the Rhone, 2021.

These are all lieu-dits with higher elevation than most and more trees and wood lands surrounding.

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.