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The property came in possession of
the
Pouizin family in 1956. Until 1996 the property was run by
Claude Pouizin, who until 1993 sold most of his yield to negociants. In 1996
his daugther Sylvie and son-in-law Jean-Denis Vacherons
came in charge and the quality of the wines from property rapidly went up. Wine
experts especially from USA discovered the new style of the wines and prices and
export rose quickly.
In the spring 2002 Jean-Denis Vacherons was killed in a traffic accident. Today
Sylvie runs the property. She gets help from clever people as the wine maker Bruno Gaspard and the oenolog
Philippe Cambie and the quality of the wines are thus in safe
hands.
Reconversion as agriculture
biologique is started 2007 and final certification expected from 2010. Then the domain wants to go further and be agriculture biodynamique.
The property has only 9 ha. AOC Chateauneuf du Pape,
by which 1 ha. is planted with white varieties. From the reputation of the
domain you might think it had some more ha.
The domain makes good Cotes du Rhone from 44 ha. Cotes du Rhone Bouquet des
Garrigues comes from fields just outside the border of AOC Chateauneuf du
Pape. Furthermore is produced a very good Cotes du Rhone Villages.
All the wines including Cotes du Rhone has to be cellared for some years.
These exceptionel Cotes du Rhones are made from
fields, which could have been inside the border of AOC Chateauneuf du Pape if
the owner at the time of the creation of the appellation had been co-operative
with the authorities.
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Sylvie Vacheron and Bruno Gaspard in the cellar
July 2004 |
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Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres (former
just called Domaine du Caillou)
Grenache on sandy soil at Lieu-dit Les
Bédines, planted between 1954 and 1972 count for 95% of the blend,
The rest is Mourvedre.
Fermentation in cement tank with a maceration periode of about 30 days.
Aged in newer foudres for 17-18 months.
Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres Blanc
Made from Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Roussanne from lieux-dits Les
Bédines and Pignan. Fermented in barrels. Production 2.400
bottles.
Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz
As the name indicates this cuvée from 85% Grenache growing on fields with
the big round stones - lieu-dit Les Cassanets. The vines are
planted 1956-58.
The rest (15%) is Syrah from Lieu-dit Les Bédines, planted in 1979.
The ageing of Grenache takes place in wood tanks and foudres, when Syrah
is aged in new barriques for 18 months.
Chateauneuf du Pape La Réserve
This Cuvée only made in good vintages is from 60% Grenache,
20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre.
The half of it is aged in new or nearly new demi-muids and the rest in
cement tank for about 18 months.
7 cuvées of Cotes du Rhone are made:
Cotes du Rhone
90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre and 2% Counoise.
The main part of the parcels (sandy soil) was planted about 1950. Ageing in
concrete tanks.
Cotes du Rhone Rosé
25-40% Grenache, 35-40% Counoise and 25-35% Mourvedre.
Cotes du Rhone Blanc
Mainly from Clairette Rose (not used very often), planted on soil with big
stones in 1951.
Cotes du Rhone Le Bouquet des Garrigues
This wine counts for a big part of the production at the domain made from 30 ha.
The main part of the fields giving this wine are similar to the fields of
Chateauneuf du Pape with the well known big stones. The blend is 85% Grenache, 10%
Syrah and small parts of Muscardin, Cinsault and Counoise.
80% of the vines are more than 50 years old. The wine is aged in different
sizes of barrels and foudres for about 15 months.
Cotes du Rhone Le Bouquet des Garrigues Blanc
The blend can vary from year to year but is normally from Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Clairette, Roussanne
and Bourboulenc.
Cotes du Rhone Les Quartz
85% Grenache and 15% Syrah. The vines grow in the samy type of soil as
Chateauneuf Les Quartz. Fermentation/maceration last 30 days. Grenache is
aged in foudres and Syrah in barriques for about 17 months.
Cotes du Rhone La Réserve
This cuvée is made in good vintages.
Normally from 85% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre. Aged in foudres or
demi-muids for about 18 months.
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