Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2019 “Les Romains” pours a bright, pale yellow color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright, tropical and citrus, fruits: grapefruit, starfruit, lemon; a touch grassy with fresh herbs and a whole lot of flint. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and a touch creamy. This bottle was absolutely bangin’! Drink now through 2029.  — 17 days ago

Matt

9.3

Well-knit and carrying its richness extremely well, still feels livey and elegant while expressing vintage warmth and generosity — 3 years ago

JKT

9.1

Thought it was AA Vacheron, but from JR, a really nice balanced complex rose, as per the ‘13. Who said rose can’t age? — 3 years ago

JKT

9.0

Found another stray! What to say but what a steal! — 2 months ago

Alberto Cdm

9.4

15 anni e non sentirli 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 — 3 months ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.7

The 2001 Le Clos du Caillou Reserve is probably the most thrilling effort made by the late Jean-Denis Vacheron. Deep garnet in color, the wine displays intense aromas of dried provence herbs, iodine, dried strawberries, red cherries and plums, blackberry liquor, leather, forrest floor and a dash of white pepper. Full-bodied, the palate is almost overwhelmed by insane levels of fruit concentration and elevated alcohol, but there is just enough acidity to keep everything in balance. The long lasting, persistent finish confirms a wine of outstanding quality. Drink now until 2030. — 3 years ago

Phil Kessling

9.0

Stocked up when Costco had it for less than $40. Below my cost! — 2 months ago

Marco Ambrosio

9.6

An absolute delight from the first notes of citrus on the nose to a touch of the divine on the palate. Everything a Sancerre should be. As smooth as The David’s bottom and enjoyed on our third anniversary. — a year ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

8.9

Delicate, pret. nicely green. Mouthfilling. — 3 years ago

Somm 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.
— 6 years ago