Lauren

9.6

So good. From Frank’s — a month ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

Les Riceys Champagne Terroir Study (all Les Riceys•2009 vintage•Pinot noir•zero dosage•4 different sites) + Old vs. New World Grenache Study: licorice, red fruit, herbal notes, 100% Grenache, 15.2% ABV, a powerful wine, would benefit from some time in the bottle, $85 — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Soter is Tony Soter's life-long study in viticulture and winegrowing. Settled at Mineral Springs Ranch in the Yamhill-Carlton District of the Willamette Valley. Aged for 12 months in 40% new French oak. A complex nose of ripe berry & dried red fruits with floral scents. On the palate cherry and strawberry flavors, herb notes, savory acidity with smooth silky tannins. Lingering finish ending with mineral notes. Drinks well now. — 6 years ago

Jake Coursen

9.6

Birthday splurge for my dad’s 70th. Beautiful fruit still showing but not in a juicy way. Silky texture. Very complex wine that you have to be careful not to chug. Paired great with lamb bolognese. Would have loved to drink this 5 years ago and would love to drink this again 5 years from now. — 7 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.3

At a perfect age, and a study in the use of oak. Ripe, but brambly, with great acid and resolved tannins. Beautiful Zinfandel, which complimented steaks in all the right ways. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is an insiders wine. You have study, focus and taste a lot wine to know how special this wine can drink. Especially, at its QPR.

There are a lot of people that covet SQN, Caycuse, Horsepower and No Girls. For my palate, these wines either burn the palate with ABV or choke off the fruit with way too much bacon fat and or deeply marinaded grilled meats. Yes, you are drinking expensive, flashy producers but, I would humbly disagree they are better wines than this 2011 Le Clos Du Caillou Vielles Vignes Cuvée Unique. Those other wines should aspire to be everything this 2011 shows and delivers.

This Le Clos Du Caillou has the balance the above wines lack and at a fraction of the price point. I would drink this 2011 over any of the other fore mentioned wines. While this Le Clos Du Caillou is a shade hot, it is not nearly as hot as SQN etc.. Hot ABV alcohol that burns the palate & back of the throat will forever be a fatal flaw in a wine.

The nose reveals, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue & purple fruit mix, poached & back strawberries, black raspberries and both plums. Dark, sweet tarriness, dry, crushed rocks, steeped teas, anise stretching to black licorice, hint of dry herbs with bay leaf leading the way, dry brush, black, dry earth, savory, grilled meats, medium, dark spice, understated baking spices; clove, nutmeg, vanilla and a touch of clove, dark & mid red fruit cola, just a whiff of incense with candied, fresh and withering red & dark florals.

The body is rich and mid full. Tannins just 50% resolved with round, dark tarry teethiness. The structure, tension, length and balance are harmonious...just before their peak. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue & purple fruit mix, raspberries that haut the center palate on the long set, poached & back strawberries, black raspberries and both plums. Dark, sweet tarriness, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, steeped teas, anise stretching to black licorice, hint of dry herbs with bay leaf leading the way, dry brush, dry black earth, dry stone wrapped in moist clay, savory, grilled meats, some bacon fat, medium, dark spice, understated baking spices; clove, nutmeg, vanilla and a touch of clove, Mix of caramel & mocha powder, dark & mid red fruit cola, just a whiff of incense with candied, fresh and withering red & dark florals. The acidity is phenomenal. The long, ripe, well balanced & textured, elegant finish is memorable and is persistent for several minutes.

Wine paired perfectly with our marinated Tri-tip.

If you are over paying for the above lesser wines mentioned above, you owe it to yourself to seek out and cellar this wine appropriately.

Photos of; Le Clos Du. Caillou, their barrel room, Owners-Sylvie Vacheron & Bruno Gaspard and one of their vineyards. It’s amazing they can grow anything in that stone soil structure.
— 5 years ago

Mariana Costello

9.6

So good! A favorite. Slight grapefruit. Almost mimosa-like. Just be careful opening — 5 years ago

Michelle Connely

9.0

Consumed 01/2020. Received in a shipment but not sure when. I am afraid I have cellared it for too long. The cork broke off and I made a mess getting the cork out so that I could strain it into a decanter. The wine stains are evident on the label.. They use for varietals to make this. At the time that it was released it was phenomenal. But now that I have kept it too long, I would say not as good. I need to drink the rest of it pretty quickly. 14.1% alc/vol.  — 5 years ago

Erica Gomez

9.6

Scribe Pinots are always solid. They provide a great experience at there property as well. — 6 years ago

Michael gayle

9.0

One of my favorite ports. It’s a little pricey especially since it comes in 375ml. However, there really is nothing like it. Sweet but not too sweet. Sit back and sip this one. The alcohol content is on the high side so be careful. This wine is a creeper.when it is time to stand up you will have realized how much was too much. Drink responsibly. — 7 years ago