Château Haut-Gros Caillou 2023 – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Château Haut-Gros Caillou – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2023 A distinguished and distinguished wine from the gravelly plateau The 2023 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from Château Haut-Gros Caillou is a rare cuvée, produced in a limited edition of only 8,000 bottles from a select 4-hectare plot located on the gravelly plateau of Saint-Sulpice de Faleyrens, one of the highest-quality terroirs in the appellation. This 2023 vintage stands out for its crystalline finesse, its brilliant freshness and its remarkable balance. A Saint-Émilion Grand Cru vinified with meticulous care Made from old vines (average age 45 years), this 2023 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is hand-harvested, sorted by density, then vinified with precision in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, with manual pumping over and punching down. The objective: to preserve the purity of the fruit and the natural freshness of the vintage. ÉAged for 15 months in hydrodynamic barrels The 15-month aging in hydrodynamic barrels allows for gentle and continuous micro-oxygenation, without excess oak. Thanks to their steam heating, these barrels give the wine notes of spices and nuts, finesse and a subtle woodiness. The result is a wine with a fluid, elegant texture and a very precise finish. Tasting: Precision, freshness, and purity Rated 94/100 by Colin Hay (May 2024): "Excellent. Wonderfully savory and juicy, with a beautifully defined and delineated mid-palate, packed with red fruits and darker berries and some red cherry. Wonderfully crisp, savory and crystalline, with polished yet punchy tannins. The finish is long and refreshing. This is definitely a wine to watch. Technically very accomplished." Why we love it: Secret plot on one of the best plateaus in the appellation Ultra-limited production: 8,000 numbered bottles High-quality aging in hydrodynamic barrels Technical details Vintage: 2023 Appellation: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Cuvée: Château Haut-Gros Caillou Area: 4 hectares Production: 8,000 bottles, all numbered Soil: Gravel, clay, ironstone, and sand Location: Gravelly plateau of Saint-Sulpice de Faleyrens Average age of vines: 45 years Grape varieties: 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc Harvest: Manual Vinification: De-stemming, sorting by Gravity Crushing, bleeding Cold pre-fermentation maceration Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats Manual pumping over and punching down Aging: 15 months in hydrodynamic barrels Consulting winemaker: Thomas Duclos – ŒnoTeam Tasting score: 94/100 (Colin Hay – May 2024) James Suckling: 91-92/100 Yves Beck: 91-93/100 Wine Advocate: 90-92/100 Jane Anson: 90/100 Colin Hay – Drink Business: 94/100