Critic ratings
robert_parker
2019
Rating:
93
–93
The barrel-fermented and matured 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres is a classic blend of 40% Grenache Blanc and 30% each Clairette and Roussanne. As it only spends four months in barriques (20% new), the oak signature is limited to a suggestion of caramel and pencil shavings, which is nicely juxtaposed against scents of sun-warmed stones, stone fruit and tangerine. It's medium to full-bodied, round and gentle in the mouth, but with enough lime zest on the finish to impart decent length.
robert_parker
2020
Rating:
94
–94
The super 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres is a barrel-fermented blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette and 30% Roussanne. Despite the oak, the wine is subtly honeyed, remaining fresh and fruit-focused, with notes of white peaches and tangerines. Full-bodied and expansive, it's zesty and long on the finish, a terrific white CdP.
robert_parker
2022
Rating:
94
–94
A tripartite blend of Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, all from the lieu-dit of les Bédines, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres finishes its fermentation in barrel, spending four months in older oak. Hints of pencil shavings accent white peach and tangerine notes, while this full-bodied wine is round, ripe and lush on the palate, almost tropical in style, finishing long and creamy.
robert_parker
2021
Rating:
92
–92
A blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche and Roussanne, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres is a nicely balanced, medium-bodied effort, redolent of tangerine and stone fruit, with hints of lime and struck match. It's silky textured and long on the finish, ending with a dusting of finely ground white pepper.
robert_parker
2023
Rating:
94
–94
With notes of white peach, verbena, spices, lemon oil and honeysuckle, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres possesses a medium-bodied, round and enveloping structure built around a sappy texture and bright acids that segue into a long, mineral and saline finish. This blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne and 30% Clairette, matured for four months in stainless steel, is produced at only 2,500 bottles and could age gracefully over the next 20 years (if you have the patience!).
robert_parker
2014
Rating:
93
–93
The 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc les Safres is the standard blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Clairette, all from sandy soils, that was vinified and aged in barrel (mostly old). It has terrific purity and elegance as well as medium to full-bodied richness, integrated acidity and terrific notes of buttered grapefruit, spring flowers, honeysuckle and mint. Pure, clean and classy, it’s a terrific white to buy by the case and drink over the coming 4-5 years, although I’m sure it will evolve nicely for longer.
robert_parker
2015
Rating:
94
–94
The rock star 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres offers tons of ripe citrus, pineapple, flowers and salty minerality in its richly textured, yet fresh and lively profile. It shows the warmth of the vintage, yet is always fresh and lively. I love it.
robert_parker
2016
Rating:
94
–94
The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres is a barrel-fermented blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne and 30% Clairette. It offers all you could want in a white Chateauneuf du Pape: fresh lime and pineapple aromas, a lush, creamy mouthfeel and a long, briny finish. The 20% new oak isn't even noticeable. This is delicious now and will likely still be drinking well (albeit in a different way) 10 years from now.
robert_parker
2017
Rating:
94
–94
The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres is a pretty standard blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette and 30% Roussanne, but it's barrel fermented and clearly something special once it's in the glass. Full-bodied, it offers honeyed aromas of ripe nectarines, pineapples and limes, a rich texture in the mouth and a long, lively finish. It should drink well for 5 or more years.
robert_parker
2009
Rating:
90
–90
Le Clos du Caillou’s 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc, also called Les Safres, is an intriguing blend of 70% Roussanne and the rest equal parts Clairette and Grenache Blanc. This 200-case blend is aged 70% in small barrels. An outstanding, powerful white (which does not reveal a lot of oak despite its barrel aging), it offers up honeyed pineapple, pear and waxy notes intermixed with hints of marmalade, apricots and nectarines. An impressive, full-throttle white Chateauneuf du Pape with minerality as well as good acidity, it can be enjoyed over the next several years.
Sylvie Vacheron continues to do splendid work at this estate following the tragedy of her husband’s death nearly nine years ago.
Importers: North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Dionysos Imports, Manassas, VA; tel. (703) 392-7073; Import Wines, Middleton, WI; tel. (608) 833-8622; and Domaine Select Wine Estates, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799
robert_parker
2010
Rating:
89
–89
Honeyed oranges and rich, ripe grapefruit notes are present in the nicely textured, medium-bodied, crisp 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres blanc. Drink it over the next year.
This modestly sized estate of just under 25 acres in the northeastern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape has been run by Sylvie Vacheron since her husband’s tragic death in 2002.
Importers: North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Dionysos Imports, Manassas, VA; tel. (703) 392-7073; Import Wines, Middleton, WI; tel. (608) 833-8622; and Domaine Select Wine Estates, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799
robert_parker
2012
Rating:
92
–92
Also first rate and comprised of 50% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc and 25% Clairette (white), fermented and aged in older barrel, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres Blanc offers up classy aromas and flavors of poached pears, caramelized peach, cream and toast. This medium to full-bodied, rich and textured effort has terrific purity and fresh, integrated acidity. Drink it over the coming year or three. Drink now-2016.
Located in the northeastern part of Chateauneuf du Pape, and covering 22 acres in the appellation and 110 acres in Cotes du Rhone (most of which are situated around the estate and bordering Chateauneuf du Pape), this benchmark estate is run by Sylvie Vacheron, with Bruno Gaspard assisted by Aude Perch and oenologist Philippe Cambie making the wines. The winemaking here is mostly traditional, yet spans the spectrum with some of their top wines seeing time in some new barrels. While the wines emphasize fruit and texture, they never lose their Southern Rhone souls and age beautifully. The vineyards have been farmed biodynamically since 2003, and the estate was certified Organic in 2010. This is an absolutely stunning set of wines by this team. Moving to the reds, both 2011 and 2012 are very strong here, with the 2011s easily being some of the finest wines in the vintage. Looking at the Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz cuvee, which, like the Cotes du Rhone Les Quartz, comes mostly from the rolled pebble soils the region is known for. It is normally a blend of 85% foudre-aged Grenache and 15% barrel-aged Syrah. Compared to the Les Safres, this cuvee is normally more concentrated and structured, with big fruit and an exuberant personality. The most modern-styled of the lineup and coming all from sandy soils (Pignan and Guigasse lieux-dits) and seeing a touch of new demi-muid, the Reserve le Clos du Caillou is always a blend of roughly 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre.
Importers: North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Dionysos Imports, Manassas, VA; tel. (703) 392-7073; Import Wines, Middleton, WI; tel. (608) 833-8622; and Domaine Select Wine Estates, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799
robert_parker
2013
Rating:
94
–94
This estate has continually increased the quality of their whites, and nowhere is that more apparent than with their 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Les Safres. A blend of equal parts Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Roussanne, it offers off-the-hook notes of ripe peach, brioche, vanilla bean and white flowers. This all flows to a medium to full-bodied wine that has thrilling purity, integrated acidity and blockbuster length. While rich and layered, it never seems heavy or cumbersome in any way. It will be versatile on the dinner table and drink nicely for at least 3-4 years.
robert_parker
2007
Rating:
86
–86
A straightforward, crisp, mid-weight white that is best drunk over the next 1-2 years.