Regular Price $60
Sale Price $49.99
91 Points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
Smart Buy Alert On Chateauneuf du Pape From A Great
Three Chateauneufs That Sell For An Average Of $97. You Get For $49.99
One Of The Best Values We Have Found From The Southern Rhone
16% Off 2008 le Clos du Caillou Cuvee Unique
“The efforts produced by Domaine du Caillou since 1998 rank among the most exciting I have ever tasted.” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate.
Spot on, Bob Parker. I tasted this wine last week and was bowled over. Le Clos du Caillou is one of the greatest producers in Chateauneuf du Pape, on a par with next door neighbor Beaucastel, Rayas, Marcoux and Pegau. Tasting their 1980’s last year was one of the most superb wine tasting experiences I’ve had. Vintage 2008 in the Rhone Valley has some excellent offerings in Chateauneuf du Pape but, ironically, its neighbors, vintages 2007 and 2009, with their lustrous scores and press coverage, lead many to overlook 2008. Production was generally small for the region in 2008 and, again ironically, it has created an incredible opportunity for wine lovers. Caillou normally makes three different Neufs: Les Safres, priced around $60; Les Quartz, selling at $90; and their Reserve, costing $140. In 2008 Caillou only made one wine all their grapes went into only one Chateauneuf. They named in Cuvee Unique and it is stunning. 2008 le Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Unique is one of the finest Chateauneufs at the price that I have ever tasted. Magnificent. 70% Grenache, 16% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 4% Cinsault and 4% Vaccarèse from the Lieu-dits of Les Bédines, Guigasse, Pignan & les Cassanets, from vines averaging 52 years of age. The wine has a beautiful cherry red colour with purple reflections. A highly aromatic nose of cherry compote with hints of wild plums. Creamy is the first descriptor for the palate of great, great finesse where smoky licorice and lavender notes carry over from bouquet to palate mixing with notes of black fruit flavours in tandem with cinnamon spice, undergrowth and chanterelles. A lively finish teams juicy acidity with silky tannins. 91 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar. This is also a Smart Buy Alert. Regular retail is $60. But save 16% with our price of $49.99. A unique opportunity to taste Cuvee Unique at a Smart Buy price.

Tasting Notes:70% Grenache, 16% Mouvedre, 10% Syrah, 4% Cinsault, 4% Vaccarese from their vineyard site Les Bedines, Guigasse, Pignan and Les Cassanets. Fermentation lasts for 30 days in concrete vats and cone-shaped casks. Aged in 2- to 6-year-old Foudres (old large oak barrels) for 16 months. “Deep red. Highly aromatic red berries and spices on the nose. Round, sappy raspberry and cherry flavors are braced by juicy acidity and framed by silky tannins. With its very good finishing clarity and lingering red fruit notes, this reminds me a lot of pinot noir.” Characterised by purity of fruit and smooth, almost velvet texture. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.