Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005

Clos Saint Jean is a family estate founded in 1900 by Edmund Tacussel. Wine has been produced at Clos Saint Jean since 1910. Sons Pascal and Vincent have controlled the vinyeard since 1991 when owner Guy Maurel died. In 2003, Philippe Gambie became involved as a consultant. Cambie has been credited with modernizing Clos Saint Jean and dozens of other Châteauneuf-du-Pape estates by focusing on making wines with riper fruit and using small barrels for aging instead of the traditional large foudres or tanks.

The Grenache-dominant wines of Clos Saint Jean are all made from very old vines. They’re opulent, with notes of dark berries and spices. Robert Parker says, “Under the inspired winemaking talent of Rhône oenologist Philippe Cambie in addition to proprietor Vincent Maurel, 2003 marked a breakthrough vintage for Clos Saint-Jean, and that has been followed by some of the finest wines of 2004 and blockbusters again in 2005.”

This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, 3% Cinsault, 2% Vaccarese and 1% Muscardin.

Deep purple/ruby in color. Cherry, kirsch, currant, twizzler and some pepper on the nose. On the palate, cherry, blackcurrant, plum and pepper with leather and tobacco notes and a bit of toast and black olive. Concentrated and rich. Almost a bit chewy with good balance and structure with solid (but soft) tannins and a long, pure finish. Recommended.

1,250 cases made. 14.5% alcohol.