Le Clos du Caillou : Côtes du Rhône Les Quartz 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Côtes du Rhône "Les Quartz" 2023 from Clos du Caillou

Tasting

Appearance
Deep and clear, the wine displays a beautiful ruby hue highlighted by carmine reflections.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with ripe red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry, all supported by a distinct mineral identity. More complex nuances of white pepper, ginger, licorice, violet, and menthol add further depth.

Palate
With a silky texture and generous body, it reveals notes of wild blackberry, blueberry, and redcurrant, complemented by hints of peppermint. The tannins are remarkably refined. Balanced acidity brings freshness through to a long finish marked by mineral and saline persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This cuvée pairs particularly well with red meats, roast lamb, or herb-grilled pork sausages. It also complements Mediterranean-style poultry, spiced vegetarian dishes, and characterful fish such as grilled red mullet.

Serving and cellaring

This wine can be enjoyed in its youth to appreciate its vibrancy or cellared to be savored until around 2033.

A Rhône wine with mineral elegance by Le Clos du Caillou

The estate

Located in the heart of the Rhône Valley, the estate truly began its winemaking history when it was founded in 1956 by Paul Pouizin. Today, Le Clos du Caillou is managed by Sylvie Vacheron, representing the third generation. The property spans 53 hectares and stands out for its historical exclusion from the neighboring appellation in 1936, granting it great stylistic freedom. Fully certified in organic and biodynamic farming, it is globally recognized for its elegant wines that reflect exceptional terroirs.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Côtes du Rhône come from a specific enclosed plot. The terroir is characterized by sandy soils covered with rounded quartz pebbles, resting on saprolitic sand subsoils. This configuration ensures optimal drainage and allows for early ripening of the berries. The vines, averaging around 60 years old, are carefully tended and harvested exclusively by hand.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage benefited from very balanced weather conditions. Water reserves were built up thanks to winter and spring rainfall, followed by a hot, dry summer that promoted berry concentration. The Mistral wind ensured perfect vineyard health. Harvesting proceeded smoothly from mid-August through the end of October.

Winemaking and aging

For the "Les Quartz" 2023 cuvée, the grapes are fully destemmed after double manual sorting. Fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks. A maceration lasting around 35 days is accompanied by manual punch-downs, pump-overs, and rack-and-return operations. The wine is then aged for 14 months in wooden vessels, with grenache mainly matured in large foudres while syrah rests in barrels.

Grape varieties

Grenache (80%), Syrah (20%).