Le Clos du Caillou : Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres Rouges 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Les Safres Rouges" 2023 Le Clos du Caillou

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals an intense ruby red hue with brilliant highlights reminiscent of ripe cherry, which may evolve towards subtle amber nuances upon aeration.

Nose
Generous and complex, the aromatic bouquet exudes scents of ripe strawberry, juicy cherry and liquorice. It is further enriched with notes of black fruit and cocoa bean, along with delicate spicy touches evoking white pepper and ginger.

Palate
The smooth, gentle attack gives way to a generous and elegant palate. It reveals flavours of blackcurrant, cherry, cinnamon and thyme, supported by silky, perfectly integrated tannins. The finish, structured and remarkably fresh, offers outstanding aromatic persistence.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs beautifully with refined dishes such as tournedos Rossini, pan-seared foie gras or quails stuffed with porcini mushrooms. It will also perfectly accompany a matured rib of beef, noble game, braised meats, as well as a platter of matured cheeses such as Brie de Meaux or a dessert combining pear and chocolate.

Serving and storage

To fully appreciate this Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Les Safres Rouges" 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 17°C, taking care to decant it one hour before tasting. This wine offers excellent ageing potential and may be kept until around 2040.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 14.5%.

The elegance and finesse of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine

The estate

Founded in 1895 by the engineer Élie Dussaud, Le Clos du Caillou was originally a hunting reserve. Located in Courthézon, at the heart of the Rhône Valley in France, the estate spans 56 hectares, of which 9 to 10 hectares fall within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Enclosed by a historic stone wall, the estate is now run by Sylvie Vacheron. Certified organic, the vineyard stands out for its commitment to environmental respect and its gradual transition towards biodynamics.

The vineyard

The cuvée is produced exclusively from the Les Bédines plot, located within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. This distinctive terroir is characterised by soils composed of fine sand and safres, agglomerated sands dating back to the Miocene era. The vines, roughly 65 years old, naturally yield low quantities and benefit from rigorous soil maintenance through regular ploughing, with no use of chemical herbicides.

The vintage

2023 began with a dry winter, followed by regular and well-timed rainfall in spring, allowing good water reserves to build up. The summer season proved hot and dry. Thanks to the drying influence of the mistral, the berries remained in excellent health throughout the growing cycle, resulting in a generous harvest at optimal ripeness from the end of September.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes intended for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Les Safres Rouges" 2023 are hand-harvested, carefully sorted and entirely destemmed. Co-fermentation takes place using indigenous yeasts, followed by a 38-day maceration punctuated by daily pumping-overs and rack-and-return operations. The wine is then aged for 14 months in thirty-year-old oak foudres, in an underground cellar offering naturally regulated temperatures. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration.

Grape varieties

90% Grenache
10% Mourvèdre