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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Sylvie Vacheron, recently joined by her daughter Marilou, relies on a vineyard in the northeast of the appellation, part of which produces excellent Côtes-du-Rhône, very close to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These reach a very high level of expression, with skilfully elevated, long finish. Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines have joined the very select circle of the appellation's finest wines, and are declined according to the nature of their terroir.

Decanter

About the wine:

Syrah makes the difference here, adding spice and black fruit. Good acidity, very fine tannins, quite voluminous without being terribly concentrated. This wine has length and persistence, despite a rather low concentration. A fresh, purifying Châteauneuf, well-balanced if rather compact.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

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

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the domain :

Always one of my most eagerly awaited visits, Le Clos du Caillou continues to produce produce some of the finest, most consistent Châteauneuf, 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 the domain :

Clos du Caillou, a 53-hectare estate 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 the wines towards greater finesse and depth. With the addition of Château de Panisse in 2020, Clos du Caillou has acquired a further 6.5 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 7.5 in Côtes du Rhône. Old Cinsault vines planted in the 1950s and Grenache vines from the 1920s are also included.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

Intense, seductive nose of black fruit and licorice. The palate is rich and enveloping, with a lovely wild core of spice, licorice and red fruit. Finely tuned tannins give structure to this wine. Already very attractive and seductive, it will only get better over the next decade.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Cardamom, wild strawberry, dried herbs and a hint of licorice characterize the spicy Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2023. A well-structured, full-bodied Le Clos du Caillou, with a juicy, zesty blood orange finish. The 2023 is utterly delicious.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah from the Les Cassanets lieu-dit and fully de-stemmed, Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz 2023 is a deep ruby color with a gorgeous nose of black raspberry, peppery garrigue, violets and flowers. I love its complexity, and it's medium to full-bodied, with remarkable purity and beautiful tannins.

About the domain :

The Vacheron family, Bruno Gaspard, and consultant Philippe Cambie continue to work their magic at this modest estate on the eastern edge of Châteauneuf du Pape. They produce a host of cuvées, all of them remarkable, with their two Châteauneuf du Pape flagships, Quartz and La Réserve, flirting with perfection in just about every vintage.