“In my opinion, some of the best Côtes-du-Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are crafted here.” – Wine Advocate

It’s Bastille Day, AND Les Bleus could be heading for the World Cup final in a matter of hours!

To add to the excitement, we have not one but THREE wines from the one and only: Le Clos du Caillou. Check out the Store for a couple of those rare gems up for the day only… Vive la France!

Meanwhile, here’s a closeout from them that was impossible to pass. It’s by far the highest-rated Côtes du Rhône, and not just for this vintage. Per Jeb Dunnuck, it’s a “brilliant wine…one of the finest Côtes du Rhône”. JD specializes in Rhône wines, and with all his reviews ever ranked by score, it shares that throne with Chateau Rayas.

That is not a coincidence, dear Ops. You see, their other La Réserve bottling costs $225 because it’s from Châteauneuf-du-Pape (yes, the same one you’ll find in the Store today for ‘just’ $125.) Which makes this at $39 an INSANE value hailing from right NEXT DOOR to the La Réserve CdP! Slip this into a blind lineup of prestige CdPs, and we guarantee that no one would call it out as a Côtes du Rhône.

Map geeks, we’re right by the La Guigasse lieu-dit here to the left of the CdP crest. – And the mythical Chateau Rayas is just up the hill. Which also explains why the soils here are sandy.

If you’re a Châteauneuf-du-Pape insider, the word “sand” should get your salivary glands going as the region’s most finessed and complex wines come from these rare soils. While most of the region is covered in the famous large “galets roulés” stones instead. The sandy plantings deliver a much more ethereal, lifted, perfumed and overall sexy character.

Going back to 1895, this former hunting preserve proved to have some of the finest terroir in all of the appellation, farmed organically and biodynamically. Vinous says, “Longtime winemaker Bruno Gaspard and the Vacheron family are producing some of the finest wines in the entire Rhône Valley.”

Jeb Dunnuck adds, “The Vacheron Family, along with winemaker Bruno Gaspard, make some of the region’s finest wines. Located on the border of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in the Courthezon region of the appellation, the estate covers 25 hectares, and they release a bevy of brilliant Châteauneuf-du-Pape as well as Côtes du Rhônes. The 2022s look to be a return to richer, more concentrated, powerful wines that hold onto a beautiful sense of balance and purity.”

He continues in an earlier barrel impression for this wine, that “While this cuvée wasn’t made in 2021 due to the frosts, the 2022 Côtes du Rhône La Réserve should make up for it – “it’s a brilliant wine that readers will love… one of the finest Côtes du Rhône out there.”

Which leaves us one thing to say after falling in love with it: claim yours before it’s gone.

93 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2022 Côtes du Rhône La Réserve is slightly more ruby-hued yet still brings beautiful intensity in its blackberry, black raspberry, spicy herb, and dried flower-like aromas and flavors. More about finesse and elegance than the Les Quartz, it’s balanced, has ripe tannins, and no hard edges. It’s another absolutely gorgeous Côtes du Rhône from this incredible team.”

92 Points – Wine Advocate “The beautifully situated 44-hectare estate, sitting on the northeast part of the appellation in the commune of Courthezon and close to Chateau Rayas, continues its qualitative journey, producing precise, perfumed and well-structured wines since Sylvie Pouizin and Jean-Denis Vacheron took over. After Jean-Denis’s accidental death in 2022, Sylvie brought on technical manager Bruno Gaspard, who has made and continues to make a significant contribution to the estate. Certified in organic viticulture since 2010, the vineyard is planted with a combination of authorized grape varieties, all thriving in sandy, sandstone soils that contribute to the wines’ elegance and finesse. Joined by her daughter Marilou and son Axel, Sylvie Pouizin-Vacheron (and her family) expanded their holdings by acquiring Domaine de Panisse, a 13.3-hectare estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite the inevitable changes brought by the different generations, Le Clos du Caillou has consistently produced wines of finesse and complexity, closely aligned with consumer preferences, while maintaining their intensity and distinct personality. In my opinion, some of the best Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are crafted here. Composed of 60% Grenache Noir and 40% Mourvèdre, planted on sandy soils and co-fermented in concrete tanks, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone La Réserve is a superb Côtes-du-Rhône evoking aromas of violet, dark cherries, spices and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, precise and pure, it’s layered and delicate with an ethereal finish enhanced by vertical energy. Matured for 14 months in large barrels or demi-muids, this is a gorgeous wine. Drink 2024-2039.”