Clos Saint-Jean, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vieilles Vignes, Rhone, France, 2020

Overview of the Wine

95 Points - Wine Spectator | Top 100 of 2023

Clos Saint Jean is a 41 hectare estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape run by brothers Vincent and Pascal Maurel. Considered by many critics and wine-writers as the preeminent estate espousing the modern style of winemaking in Châteauneuf, this cellar is one of the oldest in the region having been founded in 1900 by the great-great-grandfather of Vincent and Pascal, Edmund Tacussel. A short time after its founding and well before the AOP of Chateauneuf-du-Pape was created in 1923, Edmund began bottling estate wines in 1910.

The various vineyards of Clos Saint Jean are located primarily in the region of Le Crau. This plateau is perhaps the most iconic of the many terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, iron-rich red clays topped with galets. While about 60% of their vineyards are located here, specifically in the lieu-dits of Côteau de Saint Jean and Cabane de Saint-Jean, another 40% are located in alluvial clay and sandy soils adjacent to the plateau. They also own a small parcel of Mourvedre in the lieu-dit of Bois-Dauphin near Château Rayas planted on sandy, limestone-rich soils.

The farming at Clos Saint Jean is fully sustainable due to the warm and dry climate which obviates the need for chemical inputs. Vincent and Pascal employ organic methods for pest control, mainly pheromones to prevent pests from taking up Le Crau with Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the horizon.

Grape / Blend
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin

Origin
Rhône, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is made from oldvines located in and around Le Crau. The Grenache is aged in concrete for 12 months while the remainder is aged in demi-muid.

95 Points - Wine Spectator | Top 100 of 2023
Leads with warm ganache and fig bread notes, followed quickly by raspberry reduction accents that take some time to unwind. Showcases plum pâte de fruit, sanguine and black licorice notes, with a flicker of Turkish coffee underscoring the finish and giving this a decidedly dark profile in the end. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin. Best from 2024 through 2038. 900 cases made, 670 cases imported.

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is cut from the same cloth as the base cuvée yet brings more mid-palate depth and richness. It’s a classic 2020, with elegance, freshness, and purity as well as loads of Provençal charm. It should drink nicely right out of the gate yet also evolve for 10-15 years. 

Product size: 750ml