Le Clos du Caillou Le Tradition Chateauneuf Du Pape 2022  £37.16

Le Clos du Caillou Le Tradition Chateauneuf Du Pape

The Clos du Caillou was founded in 1895 when Elie Dussaud settled there and created an old cellar. It started as a hunting retreat and it has a remarkable history which explains its exclusion from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation upon its creation in the 1930s.

2022 is an exceptional vintage for many reasons: firstly, because of the exceptionally early, hot and dry spring and summer with only 96 mm of rain from January to August. This rainfall deficit during the vegetative period can be compared to 2003 vintage. Exceptional also because of the storm episode (composed with hail) on 14th August. Hopefully, Clos du Caillou vineyard was almost not impacted with hail. Exceptional also because of the incredible capacity of resistance of the vines facing these extreme weather conditions (maybe our biodynamic practices helped).

After the rain on 14th August, the mistral wind blew and saved the sanitary state of the grapes that were finally harvested at peak ripeness.
We can say that 2022 is a complex and surprising vintage: particular attention was needed to take good decisions of picking at the right moment.

Despite a warm year, the wines are very balanced, show beautiful colors with great concentration. 2022 vintage reminds us the balance and depth of 2015 vintage, promising a high ageing potential.

The color is intense ruby red with bright reflections.
On the nose, there are aromas of ample red and black fruit as well as complex leather, peppery herbs, and dried flower aromas and flavours.
The mouth is very elegant, with a juicy and supple texture showing aromas of plums and black cherry. The finish is delicate, ending on menthol notes.
Tradition is clearly an elegant and silky Châteauneuf-du-Pape that can be appreciated on the youth of the fruit.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING:
Ribs, Pork belly from Ventoux with mushrooms, Lamb tajine with apricots and spices, Truffled filet mignon with truffles Camembert from Normandie