Le Clos du Caillou - Côtes-du-Rhône Le Bouquet des Garrigues blanc 2023

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Sylvie Vacheron, recently joined by her daughter Marilou, draws on a vineyard located in the northeast of the appellation, part of which produces excellent Côtes-du-Rhône wines, very close to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroirs. These wines achieve a very high level of expression, with skillfully aged and long-lasting flavors. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines have joined the very select circle of the appellation's finest wines and are produced according to the nature of their terroir.

Decanter

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Run by Sylvie Vacheron for over 20 years, alongside oenologist Bruno Gaspard, this organic estate has 54 hectares of vineyards, including 9 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 44 hectares in Côtes-du-Rhône (part of which, Le Clos, is enclosed within the Châteauneuf appellation area). The 2020 acquisition of Dom. de Panisse, with 6.5 hectares in Châteauneuf and 5 hectares in Côtes-du-Rhône, aims to establish the new generation: Axel and Marilou, Sylvie's children.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

More complex than the classic cuvée, the Côtes du Rhône Bouquet des Garriques Blanc 2023 offers aromas of pear, white peach, flowers, and white fruits. Medium-bodied, round, and elegant, it is delicately juicy on the palate, with good acidity and a long, indulgent finish. It is a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette Rose, 20% Roussanne, and 10% Viognier.

About the estate:

Always one of my most eagerly anticipated visits, Le Clos du Caillou continues to produce some of the finest, most consistent Châteauneuf wines, year after year. Marilou Vacheron and Bruno Gaspard are generally frank in their assessments of the vintages.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

A beautiful aromatic freshness with notes of honeysuckle and wild fennel. The overall impression is not overly exuberant, with a lovely depth. The palate follows suit, with a length that makes us forget its power. The finish is refreshing and salty.

About the estate:

Clos du Caillou, a 53-hectare estate located in the commune of Courthézon, has been certified organic since 2010. Sylvie Vacheron and her children, Marilou and Axel, who recently returned to the property, have developed wines with greater finesse and depth. With the acquisition of Château de Panisse in 2020, Clos du Caillou gained an additional 6.5 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 7.5 hectares in Côtes du Rhône. Old Cinsault vines planted in the 1950s and Grenache vines from the 1920s are also part of the lot.

Jancis Robinson

Vinous

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

A blend of Clairette, Clairette Rose, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and other authorized grape varieties, the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Bouquet Des Garrigues Blanc is a more classic Côtes Du Rhône Blanc with its bright citrus, honeyed mint, and mineral nose. The result is a medium-bodied, balanced white with tremendous acidity and a mouthwatering saline finish.

About the estate:

The Vacheron family, Bruno Gaspard, and consultant Philippe Cambie continue to work their magic in this modestly sized estate located on the eastern edge of Châteauneuf du Pape. They produce a host of remarkable wines, with their two flagship Châteauneuf du Pape wines, Le Quartz and La Réserve, flirting with perfection in almost every vintage.