Le Clos du Caillou Gets High Marks for 2014 Chateauneuf

Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media recently reviewed the 2014 vintage of Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds and awarded very high marks and serious praise for the wines of Le Clos du Caillou, our partners for over 20 years in the southern Rhône valley. To quote:

This domaine consistently produces some of the most elegant and aromatically expressive wines of the southern Rhône. The predominantly sandy soils in Pignan and La Guigasse are the key to the wines’ graceful profile…

These wines have just arrived in our warehouse here in Berkeley! Truly exceptional wines. Here are the reviews from Raynolds … just see if you can keep your mouth from watering!

2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition
“Bright ruby-red. Aromas of ripe raspberry and candied flowers show very good clarity and spicy lift. Supple, sweet and round on the palate, offering red berry preserve and cherry flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Appealingly spherical and seamless in texture; fine-grained tannins shape a long, floral finish.”
2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Safres’
“Deep red. Heady, mineral-accented aromas of ripe red berries and incense are spiced up by a zesty white pepper nuance. Sweet raspberry and floral pastille flavors show impressive vivacity and focus, and a mineral nuance emerges with air. The floral element comes back strongly on the very long, incisive finish, which is framed by subtle, slow-mounting tannins.”
2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Quartz’
“Brilliant ruby-red. Deep-pitched aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, along with hints of licorice, floral pastilles and white pepper. Broad, palate-caressing blueberry and bitter cherry flavors become sweeter and livelier as the wine opens up, showing very good energy and back-end punch. Finishes sweet, smoky and very long, featuring slow-building tannins and an echo of sappy dark fruit.”
2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve
“Dark ruby. Potent, mineral-accented blueberry, cherry compote and licorice aromas are complicated by suave floral and Asian spice qualities, picking up a cola note with air. Seamless, round and alluringly sweet, offering intense red and blue fruit preserve and floral pastille flavors and a touch of five-spice powder. Finishes sappy and extremely long, displaying velvety tannins and a late jolt of dark berry liqueur.”