2019 Clos du Caillou ‘Les Quartz’ Côtes du Rhône

JD92-94 Mostly Grenache with 15% Syrah brought up in foudre and old barrels, the 2019 Côtes Du Rhône Les Quartz tastes like a Châteauneuf du Pape as opposed to a Côtes du Rhône and offers a powerful bouquet of red and black fruits, melted licorice, and peppery garrigue. With loads of Provençal charm, full-bodied richness, and supple tannins, it’s already hard to resist, and I see no need to delay gratification. Drink this beautiful Côtes du Rhône over the coming 5-7 years.
WA90-92 The 2019 Cotes du Rhone Les Quartz smells like the sun-baked stones typical of the region, coated in herbal essences and then immersed in crushed black cherries. It’s full-bodied and dark-fruited, expansive in the mouth, yet given structure by a dusting of coarse tannins. It looks to be another fine vintage for this cuvée.
Estate Notes: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. Vines grow on stony soils close to ‘Les Cassanets,’ reserved for the estate’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge ‘Les Quartz.’ Vine age 50 years, on average. Hand-harvested. Destemmed; fermented on indigenous yeasts in cement tanks. Aged for 14 months in older French oak barrel and demi-muid. Unfined and unfiltered.