2022 Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz, Southern Rhone

An exquisite wine and one of the greatest examples of the vintage that I encountered during my journey in the region, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz exhales a deep, powerful bouquet of lilac, dark cherries, garrigue, dark wild berries, lead pencil and flowers. It's full-bodied, pure and crystalline, with a deep, multidimensional core of fruit, vibrant acids and a long, sappy finish. This blend of 80% Grenache Noir and 20% Syrah, crafted from vines planted on sandy soils in the parcel of Les Cassanets, is a strong candidate for the wine of the vintage. Drink 2034-2054.

97 points Yohan Castaing for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Dark in colour, this has intriguing herbal depths. Not massive, but it has an enjoyably compact frame, no lack of concentration, and serious intensity leading to a long finish. It’s vibrant, with amazing purity and clarity of flavour. Grown half on large pebbles, half on sand in lieu-dit Les Cassanets, destemmed, then fermented in tronconic concrete vats, then matured mostly in demi-muids and old barriques except for 7% in amphora. 6,800 bottles made. Drink 2024-2033.

95 points Matt Walls for Decanter

Clos du Caillou has become one of the benchmark estates of the Southern Rhône, celebrated for wines that combine concentration, purity and a remarkable sense of place. Under the leadership of Sylvie Vacheron, the domaine has embraced organic farming and meticulous vineyard management, earning a reputation for producing some of the most compelling wines in Châteauneuf du Pape. Les Quartz is one of the estate's flagship cuvées, sourced from old vines rooted in soils rich with quartz stones that lend the wine its distinctive power and mineral character.

The 2022 vintage delivered superb fruit quality across Châteauneuf du Pape, combining richness with freshness and precision. Grenache forms the heart of Les Quartz, supported by Mourvèdre and Syrah from low yielding vines. The quartz covered soils reflect sunlight and store warmth, helping the fruit achieve exceptional ripeness while preserving aromatic complexity. Careful ageing enhances texture and structure without overshadowing the vineyard's unique identity.

Deep garnet crimson in colour, the nose is intensely layered with aromas of blackberry, black cherry and raspberry compote intertwined with lavender, thyme and wild rosemary. As the wine opens, notes of licorice, dark chocolate, crushed stone and exotic spices emerge, creating extraordinary depth. The palate is rich and beautifully sculpted, delivering concentrated dark fruits framed by velvety tannins and remarkable freshness. Waves of savoury garrigue, mineral complexity and spice unfold across the palate, leading to a finish of exceptional length and precision.

This is a magnificent wine for slow roasted lamb shoulder, venison loin, duck confit, beef daube or truffle infused mushroom dishes. While already deeply impressive with extended decanting, Les Quartz is built for long term cellaring and will continue to reward patience for two decades or more.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2045.