Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve 2022

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.

'A candidate for perfection, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reserve is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre from sandy parcels in Guigasse and Pignan. Alluring scents of crushed stone, floral elements and almost truffle-like complexities accent black cherries and plums on the nose, while the wine is full-bodied and expansive in the mouth yet manages to do that without seeming heavy or overly rich, and the silky finish is near-endless, reverberating with notes of dark fruit and licorice.’ (98-100) points, Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, September 2023.

'Lastly, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Reserve is based on 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah brought up in demi-muids (no amphora). Incredible aromatics of red, blue, and black fruits, savory flowers, leather, and some smoky, meaty notes all define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with a flawless mouthfeel, perfectly integrated tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish.' (97-99) points, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023.

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.