Domaine du Clos Saint Jean   Chateauneuf du Pape la Combe des Fous

2011 Chateauneuf du Pape la Combe des Fous

By Domaine du Clos Saint Jean

2011 Chateauneuf du pape la Combe des Fous from Domaine du Clos Saint Jean, Rhone

In the annals of viticultural excellence, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape la Combe des Fous from Domaine du Clos Saint Jean holds a distinctive position. Expertly nurtured within the heartland of Rhone, the euphonious blending of traditional grapes and fine craftsmanship succeeds in highlighting the exceptional persona of this particular vintage.

 

Rhone's Expression, An Investment Worth Examining

In the hands of skilled artisans at Domaine du Clos Saint Jean, this vintage synchronises harmony between tradition and innovation. This dynamic marriage is central to an investment-centric understanding of wine. Chateauneuf du Pape is considered one of the most prestigious appellations in the world, and exceptional vintages like 2011 Combe des Fous contribute to its esteemed reputation.

The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape la Combe Des Fous embodies a symphony of Grenache, Syrah, Vaccarese and Cinsault harmonised to impart distinct layers of complexity into the palate.

 

Synergy of Terroir and Climate

The weather patterns of 2011 in Rhone managed to strike a delicate balance between sun-soaked ripeness and excellent acidity. This has resulted in a vintage that is extraordinarily voluptuous while presenting a vital backbone. It echoes with a distinctive interplay between opulent summer fruit flavours and articulate minerality - a grand concert in perfect symphony.

Aged gracefully over the years, its tannins are exquisitely integrated leading to softer mouthfeel while still maintaining its firm structure. The sublime infusion of blackberries, black cherries and a nuance of spicy dark chocolate segues into an exquisitely drawn-out finale.

The 2011 La Combe des Fous from Domaine du Clos Saint Jean encapsulates the essence of a truly noteworthy Chateauneuf du Pape vintage, a grand testament to Rhone's uncontested prowess and expressive potential. This vintage embodies so much more than an investment; it’s an enduring chronicle of terroir, climate, and tradition.

Current market price

£1,070.00

12x75cl

Highest score

97

POP score

62.94

Scores and tasting notes

97

Starting with the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Combe des Fous, it's easily one of the wines of the vintage and offers killer creme de cassis, kirsch, spice box, creamy licorice and toasted bread to go with a full-bodied, seamless, elegant and layered profile the palate. While showing the forward, approachable nature of the vintage, it has ample sweet tannin, rock-solid mid-palate concentration and blockbuster length. Since taking control of the estate in 2002, and bringing on board rock star consultant Philippe Cambie, the Maurel brothers has been knocking it out of the park in literally every vintage. 2004? Gorgeous wines and easily at the top in a recent retrospective. The cooler, rainy 2008? Beautiful ripeness and texture, and again, at the top of the hierarchy. 2011 is the same story, and it’s amazing what this team has accomplished in all of their vintages. Looking at this retrospective, we went through all of their cuvees going back to 2003. Unfortunately, there’s no new information here, and this tasting simply confirmed what myself and Robert Parker have been saying for some time now; Clos Saint Jean is at the top of their game and producing some of the most singular, hedonistic and brilliant wines in the world. Starting out with the classic Chateauneuf du Pape, it’s normally a blend of 75% Grenache, with the balance a mix of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Muscardin and Vaccarese. As is common at this estate, the Grenache is aged all in tank, and the other varieties in a mix of tank and barrels. While I think this cuvee always lags the Vieilles Vignes bottling, it is consistently outstanding and always a super value. Moving to the old vine cuvee, this is made especially for the US Market and is 85% tank aged, old vine Grenache, and the balance Syrah and Mourvedre. It too almost always represents a crazy value and has a broad drink window. I’m currently finishing up a case of the ’08, and purchased two cases of the 2010, which is just starting to open back up after closing down shortly after release. As to the Combe des Fous release, this cuvée comes from a single plot of vines and is based largely on Grenache, with roughly 20% Syrah and 10% each of Vaccarese and Cinsault in the blend. The Grenache is aged all in tank and the other components see time in mostly demi-muids. While the Deux ex Machina always impresses more with its overt power and muscle, this cuvee always seems more polished, fine and elegant to me. One of the greatest cuvees on earth, the Maurel brother’s Sanctus Sanctorum is 100% Grenache that comes from a single plot of vines in the La Crau lieu dit. Aged all in demi-muid, it’s been one of the greatest wines I’ve ever tasted, every time I’ve tasted it. All three of these were sheer perfection on this occasion, yet each has its own unique profile. Lastly, and always the most powerful of the cuvees, the Deus Ex Machina is a blend of 60% tank aged Grenache and 40% demi-muid aged Mourvedre that all comes from 70-100 year old vines. The Mourvedre component is really what defines this cuvee, and it possesses the most obvious structure and mid-palate richness in the lineup. Seeming to hit maturity around age 10 or so, it can be consumed relatively early in its life due to its wealth of fruit, texture, and incredibly polished tannin. In addition, don’t miss this cuvee in the lighter vintages, as even their 2004 and 2008 show classic character and no shortage of richness. Importers: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

Jeb Dunnuck - The Wine Advocate, 27 August 2014

Vintage performance