Clos Saint-Jean is a family estate that was established in 1900 by Edmond Tacussel. The domaine began bottling wines in 1910 and has expanded over the generations. Saint Jean symbolizes life, and is thus associated with fertile lands yielding quality foods. Pascal and Vincent Maurel have been heading the estate since 1991, and oenologist Philippe Gambie has been assisting since 2003. At Clos Saint-Jean, we operate under the principle that complete respect for the land and the environment are essential to achieving a great wine.
The property covers 43 ha situated at lieu-dit La Crau. 40 ha AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape red. 20 ha of which are on the renowned plateau of la Crau. 1ha AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape white.
We cultivate the soil by the most natural means for our terrain. The use of insecticides is limited and the use of phytosanitary products even more so.
We practice ébourgeonnage on the entire vineyard as well as green harvesting, which directly bears upon the yield and improves the overall quality of the grapes and of the wine. Finally, complete respect for the land and the environment are essential to achieving a great wine.
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2018
The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc is a step up over the 2014 and offers terrific notes of stone fruits, pears and apple blossom in a medium to full-bodied, fresh, lengthy and elegant style.
– Jeb Dunnuck/ WA
REVIEWS:
Clos Saint Jean CdP Blanc 2010 IWC January/February 2012
Clos Saint Jean CdP Blanc 2009 WA 191
Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2013 WA 215 October 2014
Clos Saint Jean CdP Blanc 2015, JD August 2018
Clos Saint Jean CdP Blanc 2016, JD August 2018
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2018, Jeb Dunnuck August 2019
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2017
Coming from an old vine selection and a smaller production release for the US market, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes tastes like the classic cuvée, only on steroids. Kirsch, loads of black and blue fruits, flowers and lavender notes all emerge from this full-bodied 2015 that has fine, fine tannin, solid mid-palate depth and a great finish. It certainly offers pleasure today, yet will keep for 10-15 years.
– Jeb Dunnuck/ jebdunnuck.com
REVIEWS:
Clos Saint Jean CdP VV 2009 WA 197 October 2011
Clos Saint Jean CdP VV 2008 WA 185
Clos Saint Jean CdP VV 2008 IWC January/February 2010
Clos Saint Jean CdP VV 2011 IWC January/February 2013/2014
Clos Saint Jean CdP Vieilles Vignes 2012 WA 215 October 2014
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2012, VINOUS April 2015
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2013, VINOUS April 2015
Clos Saint Jean CdP Vieilles Vignes 2013, Vinous, February 2016
Clos Saint Jean CdP Vieilles Vignes 2015, JD October 2018
Clos Saint Jean CdP Vieilles Vignes 2016, JD August 2018
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2017, Jeb Dunnuck August 2019
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous 2017
The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Combe des Fous shows the seamless, silky side to the vintage, and has closed down slightly since I tasted it from barrel. Its big, intense nose of black cherries, blueberries, white chocolate, and garrigue gives way to a full-bodied, plush, gorgeously layered 2015 that will benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring.
– Jeb Dunnuck/ jebdunnuck.com
From a parcel with 60% Grenache (planted 1905-10), 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Vaccarese. Yield 20 hl./ha. The name Hill of Fools, refers to what people said when Tacussel planted vines at that parcel — it was foolish to work in such big stones.
REVIEWS:
Clos Saint Jean CdP La Combe des Fous 2008 WA 191
Clos Saint Jean CdP La Combe des Fous 2011 IWC January/February 2013/2014
Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape la Combe des Fous 2012 WA 215 October 2014
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous 2012, VINOUS April 2015
Clos Saint Jean CdP La Combe Des Fous 2015, JD October 2018
Clos Saint Jean CdP La Combe des Fous 2016, JD August 2018
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe Des Fous 2017, Jeb Dunnuck August 2019
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina 2017
One of the gems of the vintage is the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina which is as always, a 60/40 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre. It offers sensational notes of blackberries, ground herbs, white chocolate and an undeniable meatiness (It reminds me of a butcher shop from the south of France) that develops with time in the glass. Full-bodied, perfumed, complex, elegant and layered, it doesn’t have the density of the 2016, 2010 or 2007, yet is seamless. Give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 15+.
– Jeb Dunnuck/ jebdunnuck.com
60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre. 20 hl/ha. The name refers to how the Gods in antique tragedies were coming per high machines into the scene.
REVIEWS:
Clos Saint Jean CdP Deus Ex Machina 2010 WA 197 October 2011
Clos Saint Jean CdP Deus Ex Machina 2009 WA 197
Clos Saint Jean CdP Deus Ex Machina 2008 IWC January/February 2010
Clos Saint Jean CdP Deus Ex Machina 2008 WA Issue 191
Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina 2012 WA 215 October 2014
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina 2012, VINOUS April 2015
Clos Saint Jean CdP Deus Ex Machina 2015, JD October 2018
Clos Saint Jean CdP Deus Ex Machina 2016, JD August 2018
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe Des Fous 2017, Jeb Dunnuck August 2019
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum 2017
“Bottled only in magnum, the Châteauneuf Du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum is consistently one the greatest young Grenache releases I taste in any year, and I’m happy to report that the 2017 is no exception. Incredible kirsch liqueur, dried flowers, crème caramel, garrigue, pepper, incense, and herbes de Provence notes all literally soar from the glass, and it has a rare sense of intensity paired with incredible complexity. Full-bodied, remarkably textured, seamless, and multi-dimensional on the palate, it has silky tannins and a huge, opulent style that’s hard to describe.” – Jeb Dunnuck/ jebdunnuck.com
Do your best to give bottles 4-5 years in the cellar, and this singular, magical wine will knock your socks off over the following 15-20 years.
REVIEWS:
Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum 2017, Jeb Dunnuck August 2019
