The 2016 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres is a celebrated wine from the Southern Rhône region in France. Composed predominantly of Grenache (95%), with a blend of other permitted varieties, this red wine is known for its intensity and purity. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a score of 95, praising its "flowering garrigue accents" and "silky tannins," noting its vibrant and fresh character with a finish that features "a burst of bright orange zest" (Joe Czerwinski).

Jeb Dunnuck also gave this wine a 95, highlighting its sandstone soil origins and describing it as "fleshy, medium to full-bodied, structured," with notes of "spice strawberries, kirsch, dried herbs, and flowers." Dunnuck remarked on its "exotic edge" and "distinct salinity," calling it "the finest version of this cuvée to date."

James Suckling, who rated the wine 94, emphasized its "immense, seamless depth" and the "alluring, fresh, dark-plum, spice, and chocolate aromas and flavors." He noted the "immaculately plush" tannins and advised drinking from 2020.

Wine Spectator provided a slightly lower score of 92 but still recognized the wine's quality, describing it as having a "pure and expressive beam of raspberry and plum coulis flavors." The review mentioned the wine's "light hand of red licorice" and "perfumy rooibos tea and incense notes" on a "silky finish" (JM).

Wine Enthusiast echoed high praise with a 95 score, discussing the wine's "hints of bramble, anise, and cinnamon" and the "juicy black cherry and plum" profile. The publication highlighted its "supple and soft yet deeply penetrating" palate and "ripe and finely edged" tannins, suggesting it is approachable in youth with potential improvement through 2026 (Anna Lee C. Iijima).

This wine, with its strong Grenache base and complex profile, is noted for its depth and elegance, making it a standout in its category.