Tim Mc Mackin

9.0

Probably my favourite Bordeaux so far. Full bodied with high tannin but still tasty, with some fruitiness — 4 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

Very profound nose which reminded me of a couple of bottles I had of clos du marquis. I said saint Julien but wasn’t sure. Blackcurrant, coffee, meat, tea... different layers. I was pretty sure at that point that it was a grand cru classé... the palate is not that wide and powerful. I thought then grand cru classé but in a small recent year. 2011 or 2013. The palate was evolving around an acid backbone with fine tannins and a lovely yet discreet fruit. Moderately long finish with fruit, coffee again and a pinch of salt. I finally went for haut marbuzet 2011. I was far away from it! Always trust a first impression. Superb nose, palate a bit under delivering when the nose raises such expectations. Overall lovely and well done. — 7 years ago

Sue Mohle

8.9

Floral and spicy — 8 years ago

Nayong Park

8.9

sweat. mellow. mild sweet, full body, smell hmm not bad but weak. — 10 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

Samuel Danthine

9.1

Well structured — 10 years ago

A Pappini

9.3

à ouvrir dans 5 ans puis 10 ans ! gros potentiel. — 6 years ago

Sam Richey

9.2

Bistrotter's Paris with Kate — 6 years ago

Katherine

9.3

Lovely light and fresh — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

White Bordeaux seems to have gone under the radar for me. Much of it is very expensive (think Haut Brion Blanc) but I will be seeking out more affordable examples in the future. This was an excellent wine which literally disappeared at our table. Hints of pineapple. Tried to buy some but it had sold out. I hope subsequent vintages are as good. — 9 years ago