2023 Côtes du Rhône 'Le Caillou', Le Clos du Caillou

Bordering the legendary vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Le Clos du Caillou is one of the Rhône Valley’s most admired estates, a producer celebrated for its graceful, terroir-driven wines that balance power with poise. The estate’s origins date back to the 19th century, when its walled “clos” was mysteriously excluded from the official Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation during its creation in the 1930s, a historical quirk that left its vines, though identical in soil and exposure, classified as Côtes du Rhône.

Today, under the guidance of Sylvie Vacheron and winemaker Bruno Gaspard, the domaine farms organic and biodynamic vineyards across both appellations, producing wines that rank among the most elegant and expressive in the southern Rhône. Old-vine Grenache and Syrah thrive on the estate’s sand, galet and clay soils, yielding cuvées that combine supple fruit, savoury complexity, and a signature silky texture.

In the cellar, a gentle touch defines the philosophy: native yeasts, minimal extraction, and careful élevage in foudre and old barrels to preserve freshness and purity. The result is a collection that captures the quiet confidence of great Rhône terroir: wines of warmth, finesse, and unmistakable authenticity.