Le Clos du Caillou : Côtes du Rhône La Réserve Blanc 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Côtes du Rhône "La Réserve" Blanc 2024 from Le Clos du Caillou

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a brilliant golden yellow, illuminated by bright reflections and subtle greenish nuances.

Nose
Refined and complex, the nose exhales delicate floral fragrances of white rose. It then opens onto aromas of yellow citrus fruits and white-fleshed fruits, such as peach and fresh lemon, all underscored by subtle spicy notes.

Palate
Elegant and complete, the palate offers a lovely dynamic tension combined with a slightly creamy texture. It reveals delicious notes of toasted brioche, ripe mango, baked apple and orange blossom. Delicate touches of liquorice and sweet spices, such as cinnamon and star anise, further enrich the tasting experience. The finish, of a beautiful length, stands out with a pleasant salinity and a hint of delicate bitterness.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with seafood and shellfish, such as lobster Thermidor, bouillabaisse or octopus roasted with herbs. It also pairs perfectly with monkfish tail in beurre blanc, poached fish, a spinach and goat cheese gratin, grilled Mediterranean vegetables, or white meats such as rabbit with mustard or roast poultry.

The elegance and purity of a white wine from the Côtes du Rhône

The estate

Founded in 1895 by engineer Élie Dussaud, Le Clos du Caillou is an emblematic estate of the Rhône Valley. Located in Courthézon, this family-owned property spans a vineyard of around fifty hectares. Its history is marked by a singular anecdote in 1936, which administratively excluded it from the neighbouring appellation in favour of Côtes-du-Rhône. Today led by Sylvie Vacheron, alongside her children Marilou and Axel, the estate stands out for its strong environmental commitment, holding organic and biodynamic certifications, and produces wines of great finesse.

The vineyard

This Côtes du Rhône comes from a high-quality terroir located in the commune of Courthézon. The vines, averaging around fifty years of age, thrive on soils composed mainly of pure sands, locally known as "safres", and rolled pebbles. This distinctive terroir, cultivated according to the principles of biodynamics and organic farming, promotes excellent drainage and allows for a slow, balanced ripening of the grapes.

The vintage

The year 2024 began with a particularly rainy winter, allowing the soil's water reserves to be replenished. Spring, marked by persistent humidity, required heightened vigilance from the winegrowers. Summer then brought moderate temperatures, favouring a slow and harmonious ripening of the berries until the manual harvest began on the first of October.

Winemaking and aging

To craft the Côtes du Rhône "La Réserve" Blanc 2024, the grapes undergo a thorough double sorting, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. The winemaking process is gentle and minimally interventionist, using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Aging is then carried out with 40% in wooden barrels (demi-muids) to bring structure, while the remaining 60% ages in stainless steel tanks to preserve all the freshness of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% Clairette.