| 2009-01-26 10:32 |
WA: In 2006, only a handful of other producers in Chateauneuf du Pape hit the heights achieved by Clos St.-Jean with the following wine. Virtually perfect, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous possesses a dense ruby/purple color in addition to an extraordinary nose of ground pepper, spice box, black currants, and kirsch, and full-bodied, powerful, spicy flavors. Resembling haute couture with its seamless integration of acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this is a prodigious wine to smell, taste, and consume. Readers should hasten to buy this wine ASAP! Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.
What a remarkable group of wines is emerging from proprietor Vincent Maurel, who works with the genius of Southern Rhone viticulture and winemaking, Philippe Cambie. A succession of superb wines began at this estate in 2003, when it finally began to live up to its superb potential (Clos Saint-Jean is one of the largest holders of top vineyards in Chateauneuf du Pape, with 120 acres, including some of the finest sites for old vine Grenache and Mourvedre). This may well be one of the most exciting addresses not only in France, but in the entire wine world. As the following notes testify, the 2006s are even more profound from bottle than they were from foudre and demi-muids. Moreover, 2007 may be the finest vintage at Clos Saint-Jean since 2003. Readers should keep in mind that Maurel and Cambie have aged the old vine Grenache in old foudres and some 600-liter demi-muids, but the Syrah and Mourvedre components are kept in small barrels. In short, these wines are not to be missed! To reiterate, as mind-blowing as the 2007s are, I believe that along with Clos des Papes and a handful of other domaines, Clos St.-Jean’s 2006s are the wines of the vintage.
Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Uniontown, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800 |
| 2009-01-26 10:32 |
IWC: By Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, January/February 2008, Issue #136
(Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous) Saturated ruby. Super-ripe kirsch and cassis aromas are complicated by pungent garrigue and anise, with a subtle floral undercurrent building with air. Deep and sweet but not over the top, offering dense red and dark berry liqueur flavors, velvety tannins and superb finishing thrust. The blend this year is 50% grenache, 30% syrah and 20% vaccarese. (93-96) points |