Les Clos Du Caillou
Chateauneuf Du Pape Les Safres 2022 rouge
Reviews
The Wine Advocate 94+/100
A blend of 90% Grenache Noir and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres reveals a complex, perfumed bouquet of dark cherries, iris, dark wild berries and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and sappy, it's enrobing and charming, framed by velvety, delicate tannins and a violet-inflected finish. This real beauty was totally destemmed and matured for 15 months in foudres, or wooden tanks, and should age gracefully over the next two decades.
The beautifully situated 44-hectare estate, sitting on the northeast part of the appellation in the commune of Courthezon and close to Ch. Rayas, continues its qualitative journey, producing precise, perfumed and well-structured wines since Sylvie Pouizin and Jean-Denis Vacheron took over. After Jean-Denis’s accidental death in 2022, Sylvie brought on technical manager Bruno Gaspard, who has made and continues to make a significant contribution to the estate. Certified in organic viticulture since 2010, the vineyard is planted with a combination of authorized grape varieties, all thriving in sandy, sandstone soils that contribute to the wines’ elegance and finesse. Joined by her daughter Marilou and son Axel, Sylvie Pouizin-Vacheron (and her family) expanded their holdings by acquiring Domaine de Panisse, a 13.3-hectare estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite the inevitable changes brought by the different generations, Le Clos du Caillou has consistently produced wines of finesse and complexity, closely aligned with consumer preferences, while maintaining their intensity and distinct personality. In my opinion, some of the best Côtes-du-Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are crafted here.
