A dark and winey style, featuring intense raspberry and black currant preserve flavors coiled up with singed cedar, dried anise and rooibos tea notes. A lightly dusty, lavender-infused structure runs through the finish.
Reviews:
- Wine Advocate: From a single exposed hilltop parcel, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% each Cinsault and Vaccarèse. As the Syrah was aged in wood, there’s a hint of campfire smoke here, plus layers of rich, voluptuous plummy fruit.
- Vinous: Bright violet. Highly expressive red berry preserve and cherry cola aromas are complicated by hints of candied lavender, licorice and smoky minerals. Juicy raspberry and spicecake flavors show superb depth and appealing sweetness, and a smoky mineral undertone builds steadily with air. Offers a compelling blend of power and vivacity and finishes with gentle tannic grip, a strong suggestion of Chambord and excellent persistence.
Producer Information
Clos Saint-Jean is a prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer based in the famous lieu-dit La Crau. The winery gained critical recognition in the early 2000s and is now in the top echelon of quality southern Rhône producers.Saint-Jean produces five red and one white Chateauneuf-designated wines from the permissible regional grapes, of which Grenache is the most prolific. The Clos saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is produced from Grenache Blanc, Roussane and Clariette.Clos Saint-Jean practices sustainable farming, complete destemming and is known for long maceration periods. For Grenache, there is no ageing in oak but the other red varieties, Syrah and Mourvèdre spend around 12 months in oak. The estate has 44 hectares (108 acres) in La Crau with 1 ha set aside for the white Châteauneuf grapes.
