David Valenti

9.1

Citrus, lychee. Greasy palate with a lot of minerality, mellow finish. — 7 months ago

Rob Brobst III

9.3

From 30-35+ year-old vines from 4 hectares in many parcels. 40% whole cluster fermentation, aged in 20% new oak. Needs more years of cellaring or double decant 2-3 hours. — 3 years ago

Sara Thomas

9.3

Lovely! Bitter almond, baked apple, preserved lemon, ginger, touch of honey. Time to drink up! — 4 years ago

Billy L.

9.3

Excellent! Domaine Rene/Francois Leclerc Gevrey-Chambertin from the René Leclerc estate are a blend of Percelles Sylvie, Billard, Carougeot, Pressonnier, Les Crais, En Champs, Croix des Champs, Creux Brouillards and La Justice Estate Vineyards.
Cheers 🍇🍷 — a year ago

Richard Alfred

9.0

Drank with Lynn, Philippe & Sylvie at dinner at L'Hotel Bellebreze, Rasteau. — 4 years ago

Fredybeans

9.2

Robe rubis foncée
Nez épicé léger boisé pointe animale de réduction
Bouche fraîche de petits rouge finale délicate tonique aux tanins fins
Très bien pour le millesime
— 4 years ago

ESF

9.0

See previous note: this was the last of a case that had ton of sentimental value… — 2 years ago

Kevin Barry

9.1

Like this on. Clean finish. — 4 years ago

Carly

8.9

Delish! Had with Bua Loy post pool. Easy drinking — 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