Bancroft

Today we are excited to offer you two exceptional 2019s from the celebrated Clos du Caillou in Chȃteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the region’s most impressive properties and a long-time favourite of Bancroft Wines.

By way of background, remarkably the estate was excluded from the Chȃteauneuf-du-Pape appellation when it was created in the 1930s as the owners refused to allow their land to be surveyed leaving a blank spot right in the middle of the map. As a result, Clos du Caillou is home to some of the most spectacular wines classified as Côtes-du-Rhône you can find, as well as these outstanding Chȃteauneuf-du-Papes – those vines were purchased in the 1950s. 

Under talented wine maker Bruno Gaspard and the current (arguably more friendly!) owners, the Vacheron family, Clos du Caillou has established itself as one of the best producers in the Rhône producing exceptionally well-balanced wines with their signature, velvety tannins.

The 2019 vintage was another excellent year in the Rhône. It was marked by an intense summer heat wave, but most growers were well-prepared with techniques such as canopy management to shield the grapes. By August, they were rewarded with just enough rainfall to prevent the vines shutting down.  Most growers therefore produced a crop of very healthy and beautifully ripe grapes.

According to Rhône expert Jeb Dunnuck, the wines of the Southern Rhône  are ‘a step up over the 2018s and offer more depth, concentration, and richness, all while showing considerable purity of fruit and elegance. Acid levels are good to moderate, the wines have beautiful tannins, and as with the 2018s, they have a sense of power paired with freshness.’ In summary, an excellent vintage producing intensely flavoured and very elegant wines.

These wines are being offered for a limited period of time at a best in market price. Both wines are in physical stock, ex London City Bond and are of limited availability, so please contact us quickly to secure a case or two.