Andre Brunel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux 2012
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a fragrant, sinewy wine. Mixed herbs twine around cranberry and raspberry fruit, while the palate builds in weight and flesh in the glass. Give it until 2018.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A lighter weight, elegant and seamless example of this cuvee, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape exhibits beautiful sweet cherry, raspberry, crushed flowers and hints of garrigue. A blend of 70% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 3% Cinsault that was 80% destemmed and aged in a combination of concrete tank and 1- to 2-year-old barrels (Syrah only), this beauty is already approachable, but will evolve gracefully.
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Wine Spectator
Silky and perfumy, with bergamot, red currant, warm raspberry coulis and rooibos tea notes all woven together. A chalky, minerally spine frames the finish, revealing a lingering star anise accent. Drink now through 2025.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Talking about Grenache, the 2012 Lucien et André Brunel Châteauneuf-du-Pape is truly built on the grape. Expressive with red-fruit goodness, this wine shows how great a contribution to this appellation that Grenache can do. Deep ruby, garnet color; strong and bright effusive aromas of red fruits, plenty of berries, a wild streak in the background adds complexity and Old World qualities; medium bodied, persistent and fine on the palate; dry, nice acidity, well balanced; bright and quirky red berries and wild earth in the flavors; long finish, persistent and delicious in the aftertaste. (Tasted: August 21, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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The Brunel family’s winemaking history reaches back to the 17th century with the purchase of a vineyard plot to the north of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation from the Bishop of Avignon. Numerous generations followed, all working in the vineyards, but it was in 1954 that Lucien Brunel created the name "Les Cailloux" or "The Pebbles" to promote the Domaine’s wine qualities and special geological characteristic of the large oval stones covering his vineyards.
In 1971, Lucien’s son André Brunel took the helm at Domaine Les Cailloux. His endless motivation and eye for quality resulted in a steady expansion of the family’s vineyards with acquisitions in the Côtes du Rhône and select plots of Vaucluse Vins de Pays. In 1989 he launched the now coveted Cuvée Centenaire and continued to improve the vineyard management practices. André was one of the first in Châteauneuf-du-Pape to use tailored ground cover methods and to practice a non-chemical approach to farming his vineyards.
In 2012, André’s son, Fabrice Brunel, joined the team to ensure the family’s history and passion would continue. The pursuit for quality; the utmost respect for the land; and the drive to produce beautiful wines, which are both enjoyable in the immediate present as well as in future years with excellent aging potential, the Brunel family is meticulous in cultivating vineyards, sourcing quality grapes, and winemaking style.