2015 Clos Saint Jean, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, La Combe des Fous

The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Combe des Fous shows the seamless, silky side to the vintage, and has closed down slightly since I tasted it from barrel. Its big, intense nose of black cherries, blueberries, white chocolate, and garrigue gives way to a full-bodied, plush, gorgeously layered 2015 that will benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring. I’ve written so many glowing reviews on the wines of Clos Saint Jean I sometimes feel like a broken record. Nevertheless, this estate continues to go from strength to strength and has yet to make a misstep since I’ve been reviewing the wines. The estate makes five separate red cuvees: a traditional cuvee based largely on Grenache from all the estate parcels; a Vieilles Vignes cuvee that’s slightly more Grenache dominated and from older vines (this cuvee is only for the US Market); the Combe des Fous based on Grenache, Syrah and Vaccarèse; the Sanctus Sanctorum which is 100% Grenache all from a single parcel in the la Crau lieu-dit; and lastly the Deus Ex Machina which is a 60/40 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre. Any of the three special cuvees would suffice as a dessert island wine for yours truly.

A healthy 25% of this cuvée is Syrah aged in new oak, which impacts the aromas and flavors of the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous in a substantial way. Baking spices and vanilla are apparent, but there are plenty of bold red-fruit flavors to balance them out. The one wobble is that the alcohol (a whopping 16%) shows through a bit on the finish. I'd opt for drinking this plush, voluptuous wine over the near term.