Les Cailloux is named for the large smooth stones that cover the vineyard floor in this part of the Rhone valley. The assemblage at les Cailloux is 65% old vine Grenache (80-110 years), 20% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah. Owner Andre Brunel vinifies the three varietals separately and ferments 1/3 of the old vine Grenache in whole clusters, obtaining maximum color and aromatic character. The Mourvedre and Syrah are fermented separately in small oak casks for 18-24 months. Les Cailloux has an enticing high pitched surmaturite nose of sweet cherry-raspberry jam, with hints of stewed fruits and sweet herbs. The wine has wonderfully deep and rich, chewy flavors and plenty of ripe tannins, with layers of seductive fruit while finishing long and concentrated.

"Through hard work and an open mind concerning all facets of viticulture and vinification, Andre Brunel has become one of the stars of Chateauneuf du Pape. Remarkably consistent in difficult vintages, he hits the bull's eye in the great years. " Robert Parker

Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Centenaire
"The Cuvee Centenaire is one of the world's most compelling red wines. It is produced primarily from a plot of ancient (planted in 1889) Grenache vines (80% of the blend), and the rest younger vine Syrah (8%) and Mourvedre (12%), all aged 18 months in oak casks. It is tempting to say this is a modern-styled Chateauneuf du Pape. The use of barriques puts it in that category, but there is no noticeable new oak. This wine sucks up the oak like a sponge, but the wood provides structure and delineation. The Centenaire has been produced in 1989, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, and 2001. Moreover, the 2000 and 2001 are both prodigious efforts. Life's too short not to experience at least one bottle of Andre Brunel's Cuvee Centenaire!" Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #145
2001 $174.99 very limited
"Extremely expressive, roasted aromas of red fruits in surmaturite, with licorice and mineral notes. Extremely ripe in the mouth, with a compelling creamy sweetness and an utterly seamless texture. Conveys an uncanny lightness of touch, as well as great intensity and sappiness, for a wine so rich. One of the longest wines I tasted in the Rhone Valley in November. Tannins are buried in fruit, yet the finish shows superb grip. A monumental wine in the making." 95-97 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
"The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Centenaire boasts an opaque plum/ruby color in addition to a sumptuously sweet, jammy nose of blackberries and cherries intertwined with sweet pepper, smoke, and balsam wood. Incredibly rich, with no hard edges, analytically this wine is very high in tannin, but tasters would never know that based on its wealth of glycerin and concentration. This wine must possess around 15% alcohol, but it is well-hidden, a testament to the greatness of old vine Grenache. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020." 95-98 Robert Parker, The Wine advocate #145
2000 $129.99 limited
"The saturated ruby/purple-colored 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Centenaire is a wine of exceptional concentration in addition to majestic ripeness and richness, with a multidimensional personality, huge body, sweet tannin, and unobtrusive acidity and alcohol (15%). The finish lasts for nearly a minute. Displaying the essence of blackberry and cherry flavors intermixed with underbrush and pepper, this fascinating effort is a candidate for two decades of cellaring. Bravo!" 94-96 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #138

Chateauneuf du Pape
2001 $34.99 available
"Superripe, liqueur-like aromas of chocolate and spice cake. Sweet, fat, full and smooth; a suave, seamless wine with impeccable balance and noteworthy finesse. Lovely berry flavors carry well on the finish, which features thoroughly buffered tannins. A real essence of Chateauneuf, in a very stylish package." 91-94 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
"Brunel believes the 2001 vintage is superior to 2000, and his 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape is serious stuff. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by explosive aromas of Asian spices, cedar, kirsch, black currants, and hints of Provencal herbs as well as licorice and pepper. This perfumed, dense, full-bodied Chateauneuf is packed and stacked with sweet tannin, has great delineation, and a long, impressive finish. I would not be surprised to see it score even higher than my conservative estimate. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2016." 91-93 Robert Parker, The Wine advocate #145
2000 $38.99 limited
"Good full red. Roasted plum, smoke, licorice and game on the nose; less expressive than the 2001 following the October bottling. Sweet and supple in the mouth, with floral red fruit flavors and a silkiness of texture that reminded me of Burgundy. Sound acids give this 2000 a juicy quality and contribute to the impression of grip. 92 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-13
"Pure sex in a bottle. A fragrant bouquet offers up aromas of spice box, cedar, pepper, jammy cherries and a hint of plums and prunes. Dense, full bodied and evolved, but gorgeously succulent, this is a seamless, voluptuous Chateauneuf du Pape. Its fragrance, tactile mouthfeel and explosive finish make for a sumptuous Chateauneuf du Pape to drink now and over the next 10-12 years." 91 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #145

Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc les Cailloux
2001 $27.99 limited
2000 $27.99 limited
540 cases made "Wonderful aromas of subtle fruit, honey and flowers in bloom. Fairly rich and showing some good crisp flavors, which hold this firm wine together nicely on the lingering finish." The Wine Spectator 12/15/01
1999 $26.99 very limited