Les Cailloux Blanc displays a pale gold color in its youth and evolves into deep gold after a few years of aging. It has floral scents of honeysuckle and jasmine with hints of honey. On the palate, white flowers and honey are joined by minerality and viscosity on the finish. The wine’s surprising complexity grows more well-rounded as it evolves in the glass.

There are only a few wine regions that elicit pure excitement amongst the wine aficionados of the world, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southern Rhône is one of them. One of Châteauneuf’s most revered estates is that of centuries-old André Brunel, who has been in the region since the 18th century and has been making wine for eight generations.

Though originally named Domaine Les Cailloux by Lucien Brunel in 1954, its current name is after the seventh-generation owner, André Brunel. Under André’s leadership, the estate expanded rapidly, with vines in the Côtes du Rhône AOC as well as Vins de Pays. In 1971, after André took over, he launched Grenache-dominant Cuvée Centennaire, the estate’s top wine, which solidified André Brunel as a major player in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In addition, the family is leading the charge in the region for eco-friendly farming practices, eschewing chemicals at every turn.

André’s son, Fabrice, is now at the helm of this pioneering estate, overseeing their three appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and Vaucluse Vins de Pays, which represent three different tiers of wine. Grenache is the star variety in these wines, with a smattering of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault.

Acidity: 2.91 g/L
Sugar: 0.98 g/L
PH: 3.39
Alcohol content: 13.5

Vintage: 2021

Style: White Wine

Varietal: 70% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Clairette

Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Winemaker: André Brunel