Le Clos du Caillou - Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres rouge 2023

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Sylvie Vacheron, recently joined by her daughter Marilou, draws on a vineyard located in the northeast of the appellation, part of which produces excellent Côtes-du-Rhône wines, very close to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroirs. These wines achieve a very high level of expression, with skillfully aged and long-lasting flavors. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines have joined the very select circle of the appellation's finest wines and are produced according to the nature of their terroir.

Decanter

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Run by Sylvie Vacheron for over 20 years, alongside oenologist Bruno Gaspard, this organic estate has 54 hectares of vineyards, including 9 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 44 hectares in Côtes-du-Rhône (part of which, Le Clos, is enclosed within the Châteauneuf appellation area). The 2020 acquisition of Dom. de Panisse, with 6.5 hectares in Châteauneuf and 5 hectares in Côtes-du-Rhône, aims to establish the new generation: Axel and Marilou, Sylvie's children.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

Slightly spicier, with a bouquet featuring notes of licorice, black berries, cherries, and blackberries, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres 2023 is beautifully complete. Medium to full-bodied, lively and complex, it offers a fleshy, enveloping fruit core, framed by velvety tannins, and ends with a long, ethereal and fragrant finish. More accessible in its youth than its siblings, this blend of 90% Grenache Noir and 10% Mourvèdre is a resounding success.

About the estate:

Always one of my most eagerly anticipated visits, Le Clos du Caillou continues to produce some of the finest, most consistent Châteauneuf wines, year after year. Marilou Vacheron and Bruno Gaspard are generally frank in their assessments of the vintages.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

The 2023 Safres is fragrant with wild strawberries and flowers. The palate is in harmony: its juice reflects the finesse of the safres and expresses a radiant flesh, lacking just a touch of thickness.

About the estate:

Clos du Caillou, a 53-hectare estate located in the commune of Courthézon, has been certified organic since 2010. Sylvie Vacheron and her children, Marilou and Axel, who recently returned to the property, have developed wines with greater finesse and depth. With the acquisition of Château de Panisse in 2020, Clos du Caillou gained an additional 6.5 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 7.5 hectares in Côtes du Rhône. Old Cinsault vines planted in the 1950s and Grenache vines from the 1920s are also part of the lot.

Wine Spectator

About wine:

Elegant and refined, with notes of crisp red fruit and incense, enhanced by hints of blood and smoked meat. Aromas of mesquite smoke fill the medium-bodied palate, balanced by refined tannins. Spicy and herbaceous notes add to the mix, offering a lively and energetic finish with great maturity. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Enjoy now through 2038.

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

An appealing nose combining notes of blueberry and licorice. The palate is structured and silky, with spices and well-balanced oak that adds depth to the mid-palate. Very fine, well-balanced tannins lend structure and tension to the fruity core. Very well balanced.

Vinous

About wine:

Red and spicy fruit, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres 2023 has lovely floral notes of rose petals and crushed violets. Very fresh, the 2023 is full-bodied and velvety, perfectly balanced, and finishes with a seductive, lingering aftertaste.

James Suckling

About wine:

A delicious red wine with aromas of cherry, blood orange, toasted herbs, and warm spices. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, with fine, firm tannins. Well-structured, nuanced, and concentrated, with an appealing texture and lots of energy. Long, bright, and flavorful finish. Made from organically grown grapes. Enjoy now or cellar.

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

From the same terroir as Les Quartz, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres 2023 is composed of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre from the sandy soils of Safre, in Les Bédines. It is entirely destemmed and aged for 14 months in oak barrels. Aromas of ripe red fruit, crushed stone, flowers, and subtle spices shine through in the bouquet. It is medium-bodied, with a pure, concentrated, and elegant palate and exceptional length. I love its overall balance, which perfectly matches the frank, clean, and technical style of this estate today. Approximately 1,916 cases were produced. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2038.

About the estate:

The Vacheron family, Bruno Gaspard, and consultant Philippe Cambie continue to work their magic in this modestly sized estate located on the eastern edge of Châteauneuf du Pape. They produce a host of remarkable wines, with their two flagship Châteauneuf du Pape wines, Le Quartz and La Réserve, flirting with perfection in almost every vintage.