{"title":"Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"le-clos-du-caillou-cotes-du-rhone-red","title":"Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone Red","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLe Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône Red\u003c\/strong\u003e is a biodynamic, Grenache-dominant Southern Rhône blend in a 750ml bottle, typically bottled around 14% ABV. Scoring 90 points from \u003cem\u003eThe Wine Advocate\u003c\/em\u003e (2022 vintage, Joe Czerwinski), this bottling consistently demonstrates why the estate's Côtes du Rhône wines are regarded as rivals to many producers' Châteauneuf-du-Pape.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: ~14% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Côtes du Rhône, France  |  Blend: 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault  |  Producer: Le Clos du Caillou\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLe Clos du Caillou was established in 1956 and is today guided by winemaker Bruno Gaspard. The estate has practiced biodynamic viticulture since 2003 and earned organic certification in 2010. What makes the Côtes du Rhône bottling especially notable is that the walled vineyard parcels — the \"clos\" — share the same terroir as the estate's Châteauneuf-du-Pape holdings. Fruit undergoes 80% de-stemming with 20% whole clusters retained, then ferments with indigenous yeasts in a combination of concrete and stainless-steel tanks. This approach preserves primary fruit character while allowing the garrigue-laden terroir to come through without excessive extraction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kirsch and ripe strawberry rise first, followed by blood orange, violets, and orange blossom. A subtle thread of baking spice and dried Provençal herbs develops with air.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is juicy and fruit-forward — raspberry, blackcurrant, and fresh blackberry dominate the opening. Mid-palate, the wine gains concentration and reveals a silky, almost velvety texture. Fine-grained tannins support the fruit without overwhelming it, and delicate herbal notes reminiscent of garrigue appear toward the peak.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to long, with a caressing texture and lingering red fruit. A vivid crack of black pepper adds energy and lifts the close, preventing any sense of heaviness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine rewards a light chill to around 60–64°F (15–18°C), served in a large-bowled glass to let the aromatics open. It drinks beautifully on its own or alongside food. For cocktail-adjacent serves: a \u003cstrong\u003eKalimotxo\u003c\/strong\u003e benefits from the wine's fruit density and peppery kick; a classic \u003cstrong\u003eSangria\u003c\/strong\u003e gains complexity from the Grenache's berry richness and the Mourvèdre's structure; and a simple \u003cstrong\u003ewine spritzer\u003c\/strong\u003e with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel highlights the blood-orange and floral character already present in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeknight dinners where you want something a genuine step above everyday Côtes du Rhône\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing Rhône wines to someone accustomed to Pinot Noir or lighter reds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a wine enthusiast who values organic and biodynamic farming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMediterranean-inspired dinner parties built around grilled meats and ratatouille\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It leads with bright red and dark berry fruit — raspberry, strawberry, and blackcurrant — layered with violet, Provençal herbs, and a distinctive black-pepper finish. The texture is silky and medium to full-bodied with fine, approachable tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône compare to Coudoulet de Beaucastel?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are premium Côtes du Rhône bottlings from estates rooted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but Clos du Caillou leans more toward primary fruit and floral lift with its 70% Grenache dominance and whole-cluster component. Coudoulet de Beaucastel typically shows more earthy, structured character owing to a higher proportion of Mourvèdre and Counoise in the blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — its fine tannins, generous fruit, and moderate concentration make it highly enjoyable on its own, especially with a slight chill and 15–20 minutes of air.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Le Clos du Caillou is located in the southern Rhône Valley of France, with vineyards situated within the Côtes du Rhône appellation on terroir that borders the estate's Châteauneuf-du-Pape parcels.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône?\u003c\/strong\u003e Herb-crusted lamb chops mirror the garrigue notes; grilled sausages with fennel complement the wine's spice; ratatouille echoes its Provençal character; aged Comté cheese highlights the fruit density; and roasted chicken with olives and thyme creates a classic regional match.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a premium Côtes du Rhône — priced above everyday supermarket bottles but well below Châteauneuf-du-Pape — delivering certified-organic, biodynamic wine from shared Châteauneuf terroir with consistent 90-point critical recognition, which represents strong value for the quality tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe single most compelling fact about this wine is its terroir: the vines grow on the same soil, in the same walled enclosure, as the estate's Châteauneuf-du-Pape holdings. Combined with certified organic farming since 2010 and biodynamic practices since 2003, the resulting wine carries a sense of place that most Côtes du Rhône bottlings simply cannot match. Indigenous-yeast fermentation and the 20% whole-cluster inclusion add aromatic complexity without masking the fruit. With a 90-point score from \u003cem\u003eThe Wine Advocate\u003c\/em\u003e on the 2022 vintage, this is one of the appellation's most reliable over-performers — a Southern Rhône red that consistently punches well above its classification.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44836949819561,"sku":"21580","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Le-Clos-Du-Caillou-Cotes-Du-Rhone-Red__65217.jpg?v=1730475129"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/le-clos-du-caillou-cotes-du-rhone.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}