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Le Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Quartz 2018  - First Bottle

Reviews

96 Decanter -
This is dark, savoury, potent and concentrated. It has great vibrancy of fruit coupled with real depth of integrated structural tannins and all matched with a gently throbbing acidity. It?s very ripe but not oversweet, and the finish is very long indeed. It's very well-tailored, and expertly fashioned, a real essence of Chateauneuf - very silky in style, and clearly a very crafted expression rather than a 'natural' one - but crafted with consummate skill. Grown half on large pebbles, half on sand in lieu-dit Les Cassanets, destemmed, then fermented mostly in concrete, then matured mostly in demi-muid except for 10% in amphora.
95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
Detailed, intricate herbal shadings mark the nose of the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz, adding extra nuance to the ripe cherry and berry fruit and combining nicely with hints of warm stones and dried spices. Full-bodied and silky, it's elegant and complete, ending with a gentle wash of silky tannins and ample persistence on the finish. Not the most intense or tannic vintage, it's approachable now and should drink well for up to a decade.
94 Jeb Dunnuck -
Coming from more pebbly soils and 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz is more exuberant and Provençal, with a monster nose of red and blackberry fruits, peppery garrigue, game, candied orange, and loads of spring flower-like nuances. Slightly closed on the palate, it’s still medium to full-bodied, has solid spine of acidity, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Give bottles 2-3 years (which is rare for a 2018) and enjoy over the following decade or more. I don’t think it matches the 2001, 2007, 2009, or 2016, but it’s certainly a rock-solid vintage for this cuvee.
93-95 Vinous -
Deep brilliant ruby. Powerful red and dark berry aromas are complemented by building spice, incense and lavender notes. Sappy and densely packed, offering vivacious black raspberry, cherry pie and spicecake flavors energized by a core of juicy acidity. Supple, harmonious tannins build steadily on the impressively long, seamless finish, which leaves behind floral pastille and juicy red berry preserve notes.

Technical Details

  • BlendProprietary Blend
  • CountryFrance
  • RegionRhone
  • AppellationChateauneuf-du-Pape
  • Alcohol14.5%

Le Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Quartz 2018

Rhone Blends  |  France
D96, WA95, JD94-96, VN93-95

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The Quartz wines from Clos du Caillou have gotten to be some of the jewels in the portfolio. The addition of 10% amphora aging has given this wine the lift that it needed and also a layer of minerality that really adds intrigue. Decanter flipped for this saying, "It has great vibrancy of fruit coupled with real depth of integrated structural tannins and all matched with a gently throbbing acidity. It's very ripe but not oversweet, and the finish is very long indeed." This unique wine is grown on the large iconic pebbles of Chateauneuf and half on sand in lieu-dit Les Cassanets. Aging is mostly in demi-muids and as mentioned, 10% Amphora. BRAVO!

About the Producer

The Clos du Caillou was founded in 1895 when Elie Dussaud settled there and created an old cellar. It started as a hunting preserve and this history ironically led to its exclusion from the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation upon its creation in the 1930's. IN 1996, Sylvie Vacheron and her husband, Jean-Denis Vacheron, decided to leave Sancerre terroirs for a huge challenge : take over the vineyard Le Clos du Caillou and produce great wines. Jean-Denis has very high ambition for the vineyard. He is determined to produce wines that suits him, free of any diktat. He like the finesse, the elegance, the Burgundy style.