2012 Clos Saint-Jean "Combe des Fous" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (1.5L)

“The smoking good 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous (60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Muscardin, Vaccarese and Cinsault) is a structured, serious wine that gives up notions of blackberry, currants, melted licorice and assorted meaty nuances that flow to a full-bodied, seamless wine that has terrific fruit intensity, masses of fine tannin and a blockbuster finish. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it through 2032. Drink 2016-2032. Always one of the highlight visits during my time spent working in the Southern Rhone, Clos Saint-Jean, which includes over 100 acres of prime terroir in Chateauneuf du Pape (mostly in the south), is run by brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel, with consulting help from the incredibly talented Philippe Cambie. Releasing 5 Chateauneufs in top vintages, they also pair up with Manfred Krankl, of Sine Qua Non in California’s Santa Barbara County, and release another high-end cuvee call Chimere. While the winemaking here is often labeled as modern, it is actually relatively traditional, with the Grenache almost always aged in tank and only the Mourvedre and Syrah seeing time in larger, 500-600 liter oak barrels, or demi-muids. In addition, the cuvees may also include small amounts of whole-cluster fermentation. Regardless of how you classify it, the results speak for themselves and there are few wines in the world I’d rather drink. (JD)” (10/2013)

“Dense, offering thickly layered fig, blackberry and black currant fruit, this is still quite primal, with loads of bay, tobacco, ganache and lavender notes waiting in reserve, held in check by loamy grip for now. Serious graphite elements harness the finish. Should be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2035. (Insider)” (08/2014)

“Vivid ruby. Blackberry, cherry-cola and spicecake on the intensely perfumed nose, with a sexy floral nuance adding complexity. Youthfully primary cherry and dark berry flavors gain sweetness and flesh with air, picking up a gentle vanilla quality and a touch of smoky Indian spices. Finishes with very good grip and focus and lingering dark berry and spice qualities.” (02/2014)