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 2020
One of the appellation’s top whites comes from Clos Saint Jean (although it’s their reds that get all the attention), the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is brilliant, with a fresh, vibrant, focused style to go with classic crushed citrus, tart quince, and acacia flower-like notes. It builds on the palate and is medium-bodied, with richness and depth. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years. – 94 points
– Jeb Dunnuck (11/3/21)
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 2019
A bigger, richer wine, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a similar style in its peppery garrigue, lavender, scorched earth, and licorice aromatics. It’s slightly darker fruited than the base cuvée and has a rock star of a mid-palate, building, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s one stunning bottle of wine to drink over the coming 10-15 years. – 95 points
– Jeb Dunnuck/ jebdunnuck.com (11/3/21)
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 Veilles Vignes 2019 JD
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous 2017
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous checks in as a normal blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Vaccarèse and Cinsault, raised in tank and demi-muids. Kirsch liqueur, white flowers, graphite, ground pepper, and obvious minerality all emerge from this ethereal yet powerful, concentrated 2017. It’s very much in the more Provençal, elegant style of this vintage, yet has classic Clos Saint Jean purity, style, and power. It’s a gorgeous wine. 97 points
– Jeb Dunnuck/ jebdunnuck.com (08/16/19)
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
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina (60/40 Grenache and Mourvèdre) shows more classic Mourvèdre notes, with blackcurrants, Asian spices, crushed violets, cured meats, and graphite all giving way to a power packed, opulent, hedonistic 2017 that does everything right. Incredible depth of fruit, building tannins, no hard edges, and a finish to die for are all part of the package. 98 points
– Jeb Dunnuck/ jebdunnuck.com (08/16/19)
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
