| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Southern Rhône > Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Le Clos du Caillou
Lastly, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve le Clos du Caillou is a classic example of this cuvee. Made from 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, aged all in demi-muid, it offers ample dark fruits, chocolate, bouquet garni and licorice in its full-bodied, supple, forward and elegantly styled profile. As with all of the 2012s here, the tannin is wonderfully ripe, the wine has solid concentration and everything is perfectly balanced. While it’s hard to resist already, it will be better with short-term cellaring and have 15+ years of overall longevity.
Lush, with a lovely velvety feel. Layers of warmed fig, boysenberry coulis and plum sauce are interspersed with bittersweet cocoa, maduro tobacco and tar details. The long finish lets all the elements drape together, with a note of mesquite providing the stitching. A lovely combination of power and finesse. Best from 2016 through 2028. 40 cases imported.
–JM
When to drink: 2020 to 2030
Vineyard soil: sand. Lieu-dit: La Guigasse , Les Bedines. 60% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre. Demi-muids, 30% new,70% fourth use, for 18 months. Dark crimson. Ripe to overripe candied black cherry aromas. Just a little bit sickly. Quite demanding tannins at the moment. Ripeness for the sake of it? Jancis Robinson
There is a purity of fruit that leaves a long impression here. This is made even better with the freshness, length and silky tannins that push along the spice and ripe berry driven finish. This will be fun to age. The blend of 60% old vine Grenache and 40% Mourvedre reached 16% alcohol with no sensation of heat.
