“It’s difficult to find a competitively priced Châteauneuf-du-Pape that provides as much sheer pleasure.” – Wine Advocate

“These are brilliant wines readers will love to have in their cellars.” – Jeb Dunnuck

The one and only!! Clos du Caillou sits in a pantheon alongside some of the best Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers. And this is one of their best efforts, EVER.

A gang of big scores hanging off it, ranging from 94-97 points. Deserving of every single one, and personally I’m a 96ish on it.

Our price (lowest anywhere of course) makes it a no-brainer for anyone who’s serious about Rhône wines - or just wants to experience truly world-class Châteauneuf.

Going back to 1895, this former hunting preserve proved to have some of the finest terroir in all of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They’ve been farming organically (certified) for the past couple of decades, and currently aim for full biodynamic in the coming years. Antonio Galloni’s Vinous could not have said it better: “Longtime winemaker Bruno Gaspard and the Vacheron family are producing some of the finest wines in the entire Rhône Valley, in the south as well as the north.”

Fruit for this 80/20 blend of Grenache & Syrah comes from a mix of sandy soils and the ‘gallette roules’ that define the region. The name ‘Les Quartz’ refers to those large stones, which capture the warm sun and release that heat slowly in the evenings. This helps create a perfect environment for ripening. The 60-year-old Grenache vines are just humming with life. And that sandy soil where the Syrah grows? Yea, it’s next to Rayas. Just sayin’.

SO FRESH! Incredible purity and depth of fruit, with kirsch, raspberry syrup, wild alpine strawberries, red licorice, and that unmistakable perfumed “garrique” note (thyme, rosemary and lavender all growing wild around these vineyards). A gorgeous minerality runs through it as well, and the finish just doesn’t quit. Irresistible right now, but built to age, this has a classic CdP style to it – but oh so masterfully made, not super extracted or heavy - just a beautifully pure and intense expression of the prized appellation.

We fought for every bottle we could get but have precious little to spare.

Move quickly and make it yours!

95-97 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“From a sandy, late-ripening site next to the Clos, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz is an 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah. Scents of roses, herbal tea, cherries and raspberries leave the mouth watering, while the palate is full-bodied, lush and silky. It really looks special this year. Drink 2022-2035.”

94-96+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck

*“The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz comes from more rocky soils and is always one of the more expressive, Provençal, sexy wines in the lineup. Based on 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, it gives up a smorgasbord-like bouquet of blueberries, black raspberries, peppery herbs, and violets. With full-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, and impressive balance, it’s another fresh, elegant, yet incredibly impressive 2020.

94 Points – Decanter

“Juicy, rounded, relaxed and transparent. Enjoyably drinkable, approachable and compact, it feels unforced and authentic, with ripe tannins, fresh blackberry acidity and a neat, precise finish. Grown half on large pebbles, half on sand in lieu-dit Les Cassanets. Destemmed then fermented in tronconic concrete vats, then matured mostly in demi-muid and old barriques except for 7% in amphora.”