André Brunel - Les Cailloux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

"Life's too short not to experience at least one bottle of Andre Brunel's Cuvee Centenaire!" (Robert Parker)

'"André Brunel is one of the most intelligent of the younger generation in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and seems to produce fine wines regardless of vintage conditions'"(Robert M. Parker, Wines of the Rhône Valley , Dorling Kindersley)

André Brunel (pictured left) is together with his wife Lucien the third generation at the estate. At Chemin du Bois de la Ville you will find the office and ageing cellars, the storing of bottled wines takes place in a former storehouse for oranges in Sorgues and the vinification takes place in other buildings in Chateauneuf du Pape. All needed facilities are there but the spread situation can give some extra work.

The name of the domain comes from cailloux roulés or galet roulés, the French name for the big stones found in the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape. Les Cailloux has around 18 hectares in Chateauneuf du Pape of which two hectares are planted with white varieties.

As well as producing one of the very best Châteauneufs at the family estate, André has teamed up with Laurence Feraud of Domaine Pégaü to produce a range of excellent wines under their negociant label. In the greatest vintages, André also produces a luxury cuvee, “Centenaire”, primarily from low-yielding, extremely old-vine Grenache planted in 1889. This is a tour de force in winemakeing: intensely concentrated yet extremely elegant. No wonder Parker regularly gives this wine 98-100 points!