Clos Saint Jean Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous 2021 750ml

The star of the show in 2018 is the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous and it has an incredible mix of complexity, power, and elegance that’s something to behold. Sporting a deep purple/plum color as well as a killer bouquet of blackcurrants, lavender, peppery garrigue, graphite, and white chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, incredible tannins, and a gorgeous finish. This is a good as 2018 gets and while it’s already impossible to resist, it’s going to evolve for 15+ years. (Jeb Dunnuck)

Based on a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and Vaccarèse, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe des Fous delivers incredible elegance, with black raspberries, spring flowers, pepper, Provençal spices, and meaty nuances all shining here. Medium to full-bodied, it has a gorgeously layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, plenty of tannins that are ripe and perfectly integrated, and a great finish. Give it just 2-4 years and drink over the following 15 years. This beauty is all about finesse and elegance paired with remarkable power and density. Drink 2027-2042.

Pumps out heady raspberry, mulberry and blackberry compote notes that keep form and direction, thanks to a roasted apple wood spine and flanking ganache, garrigue and warm earth notes. Seriously grippy finish. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vaccarèse. Best from 2025 through 2040. 500 cases made, 43 cases imported. (James Molesworth)

Opaque ruby. A powerfully scented bouquet displays mineral-accented boysenberry and Chambord scents complemented by suggestions of pungent flowers, Indian spices and incense. Intense red/blue fruit preserve, cherry cola and fruitcake flavors show superb definition and silky texture. Comes off graceful despite its depth and finishes on a repeating floral note, displaying outstanding persistence and bright, mineral lift. (Josh Raynolds)

The generous core of sappy cherry and red licorice in this red shows a lot of warmth and plushness—and a lot of integrity. Though heady and ripe, this has a pleasing herbal thread and tangy acidity to maintain good balance. A wall of finely crushed iron is seamlessly integrated, with a kiss of singed alder on the finish. A gorgeous wine. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vaccarèse. Drink now through 2035. 80 cases imported. (Kristen Bieler)

The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous is a normal blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Vaccarèse and Cinsault. Slightly deeper hued compared to the Vieilles Vignes, it has an incredibly Burgundian style in its ripe cherry and raspberry fruits as well as leafy herbs, graphite, and floral, spicy aromas and flavors. Ultra-fine, medium to full-bodied, and exceedingly elegant, with silky tannins, it’s a dead ringer for a great Clos Vougeot. (Jeb Dunnuck)

Ripe, rich and full-bodied but not quite over the top, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous shows great depth and power. Hints of dusty earth and licorice add nuance to the plummy flavors, which also carry hints of dried fruit and chocolate on the long finish.

As almost always, this cuvée is a big step up in concentration. The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous comes from vines planted in 1905 and is roughly 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Vaccarèse. Intense red berries accented by orange zest and dried spices appear on the nose and palate, which is full-bodied and velvety. (Joe Czerwinski)

The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous is at eye level with the gorgeous 2020 I tasted two years ago, unwinding with prominent red cherry compote, fresh violets, dried herbs and a flicker of orange blossom. Perfumed and sexy, the full-bodied 2023 packs the hallmark Clos Saint-Jean style through stunning density and concentration, yet neatly carries sufficient vitality to balance all that substance. Spicy and floral, the 2023 is such a scrumptious La Combe des Fous.

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous is a normal blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Vaccarèse and Cinsault. Beautiful, full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe black raspberries, violets, ground pepper, lavender, and herbes de Provence all emerge from this gorgeous barrel sample, and it shows the pure, fresh, yet still concentrated style of the vintage brilliantly.