The 2023 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres is an elegant Grenache-dominant red from Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southern Rhône, produced from the distinctive sandy safres soils of the Les Bédines lieu-dit. The 2023 blend is 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, with the compacted sand and sandy soils playing a defining role in the wine's personality. Unlike the powerful, broad-shouldered style often associated with Châteauneuf-du-Pape's galets roulés, these sandy soils tend to produce Grenache with greater perfume, finer tannins and a remarkably silky texture. The domaine considered 2023 an excellent, generous and beautifully balanced vintage, comparing its overall equilibrium to 2000 and 2012.
The grapes were hand-harvested, 100% destemmed and co-fermented with indigenous yeasts in wooden vats, with a long 38-day maceration before ageing for 14 months in 30-year-old foudres. This restrained élevage allows the character of the old-vine Grenache and sandy terroir to remain at the centre of the wine. Aromatically, the 2023 shows ripe strawberry, cherry, cassis and mulberry alongside liquorice, cinnamon, flowers and subtle spice. The palate is generous yet remarkably refined, with a fleshy core of fruit, velvety tannins and freshness carrying through a long, perfumed finish. Critical reception has been excellent: 95 Points from Bettane & Desseauve, 94 Points from The Wine Advocate, 93 Points from Jeb Dunnuck, 93 Points from Wine Spectator and 93 Points from James Suckling.
