2018 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Clos Saint Jean can easily be counted among the top houses of the appellation. It is a company with an enormous history of international top scores. Clos Saint Jean makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape as Châteauneuf-du-Pape is meant to be. In addition, the winery also makes a Vin de Pays de Vaucluse that is among the best in the region.

The 2018 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an impressive wine from the southern Rhône Valley, produced by the renowned Clos Saint Jean estate. Managed by brothers Vincent and Pascal Maurel, this estate covers 41 hectares and is known for its modern approach to winemaking. ​This Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of mainly Grenache, supplemented with varieties such as Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin. The grapes come from old vines, ranging in age from 50 to 100 years, mainly located on the iconic Le Crau plateau, known for its iron-rich red clay covered with galets roulés (large pebbles).

After manual harvesting, the grapes are almost completely destemmed, with about 10% of whole bunches retained. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats with a long maceration period of 35 days on average. The Grenache is aged in concrete tanks to preserve the fruit expression, while Syrah and Mourvèdre are aged in barriques and demi-muids (oak barrels). This approach results in a wine that reflects the purity of the fruit and the unique terroir.

The 2018 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape has intense aromas of red and blue fruits on the nose, such as cherries and blueberries, with hints of spices and earth. On the palate the wine is rich with a full flavor with notes of black cherries, olives and a hint of bitter chocolate. The wine has a complex structure with supple tannins and a long finish.