| View this email online if it doesn't display correctly |
| | |
|
| | Fresh from Châteauneuf: Clos Saint-Jean's Exceptional 2017's |
| | | Jeb Dunnuck on Clos Saint-Jean
"I know it will shock long time readers, but yes indeed, Clos Saint Jean has again made some of the wines of the vintage in both 2017 and 2018. Enough can’t be said about the quality coming from the team of Vincent and Pascal Maurel, as well as consultant Philippe Cambie, and these wines possess that rare mix of incredible power and richness pared with a sense of weightlessness and elegance. Looking at the 2017, these remind me of the estate’s 2009s with their incredibly Provençal, sexy, full-throttle styles. I’m sure alcohols are pushing 16% so these aren’t for those looking for lightweight wines, yet they remain pure, balanced, and are simply profound wines. The 2018 showed beautifully as well and while they don’t quite have the mid-palate depth of the 2017, they pack plenty of power and stay pure, balanced, and silky. These are majestic, magical wines that could come from nowhere else."
|
| |
|
Clos Saint-Jean is one of the preeminent modern estates in Chateauneuf-du-Pape today. Pascal and Vincent Maurel have run the estate since 1991. Originally, they made rather rustic wines at the family estate, but over time they modernized and eventually hired the famed Philippe Cambie as their consultant enologist. Since then, the wines have received huge accolades and scores from distinguished critics around the world.
The estate, which was founded in 1900, is one of the oldest still operating in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Edmund Tacussel, the Great-Great-Grandfather of Vincent and Pascal began estate bottling in 1910, which was 13 years before the development of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC. The estate covers approximately 48 Hectares, with about half being situated in the famous La Crau vineyard. This famous vineyard is covered with the famous galets (large round stones) on top of Iron-rich red clay, which allows for exceptional drainage and heat retention to develop full maturity and ripeness.
The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2017 comes from old vines dating back to 1905 and is a special cuvée only available to the US market. The 2017 is comprised of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre and Vaccarese. Big and bold, this wine is marked with ripe blackcurrants and cherries and a whiff of black olive and savory herbs. This cuvée easily is at the head of the pack of the top QPR’s in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The Combe de Fous 2017 is comprised 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, with the rest Vaccarèse and Cinsault from vines planted primarily in 1905. Combe de Fous translates to the hill of the fool, which is a reference to the Maurel brothers great-great-grandfather who planted Grenache on a hill at the far southern tip of La Crau. The layer of galets on this plot is so thick and the process was so painstaking that none of the other growers thought the Grenache vines could survive, hence, the hill of the fool.
The Deux Ex Machina 2017 is approximately 60% Grenache coming from La Crau and 40% Mourvèdre coming from very old plantings in the Bois-Dauphin vineyard near Château Rayas. The Grenache sees it’s elevage in concrete while the Mourvèdre is aged in used Demi-muids (600L Barrels). Both this cuvée and the Combe de Fous are limited to approximately 500 cases per year.
The Sanctus Sanctorum is an incredibly special wine which is sees its elevage in one single demi-muid and is only bottled in Magnum. It is a very particular selection of 100% Grenache form some of the oldest and most prized vines in La Crau. Today, we have the pleasure to offer you the 2015, 2016 and 2017 of this extremely rare wine!
|
| "As always, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a touch more dark fruits, more concentration, and more structure, which makes it less approachable but more age-worthy. Blackcurrants, ground pepper, bouquet garni, crushed rocks, and garrigue notes all emerge from this structured, focused, yet ripe and beautifully textured Châteauneuf Du Pape that's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age." 94+ Points Jeb Dunnuck
|
|
"The whites here continue to improve. The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc offers a rocking bouquet of key lime pie, tangerine, and ripe peach that gives way to a powerful, opulent, medium to full-bodied white that has tons of flesh and texture, beautiful balance, and a great finish. This is a white for the dinner table." 93 Points Jeb Dunnuck
|
| "The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous checks in as a normal blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Vaccarèse and Cinsault, raised in tank and demi-muids. Kirsch liqueur, white flowers, graphite, ground pepper, and obvious minerality all emerge from this ethereal yet powerful, concentrated 2017. It's very much in the more Provençal, elegant style of this vintage, yet has classic Clos Saint Jean purity, style, and power. It's a gorgeous wine." 97 Points Jeb Dunnuck
|
| "The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina (60/40 Grenache and Mourvèdre) shows more classic Mourvèdre notes, with blackcurrants, Asian spices, crushed violets, cured meats, and graphite all giving way to a power packed, opulent, hedonistic 2017 that does everything right. Incredible depth of fruit, building tannins, no hard edges, and a finish to die for are all part of the package." 98 Points Jeb Dunnuck
|
|
"The pure Grenache 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum was matured in a combination of clay amphorae and new demi-muids. It's an enormous yet fruit-driven wine, endowed with masses of raspberries and stone fruit yet featuring complexity in the form of dried spices, like cinnamon, clove and allspice. Creamy and intense, it's a roller coaster ride of exuberance, yet it's ultimately elegant as it glides into a nearly never-ending finish. . ." 97 Points Joe Czerwinski
|
|
One of the greatest young wines I’ve ever tasted is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum which is 100% old vine Grenache sourced from a single parcel in the La Crau lieu-dit . . . it offers a heavenly perfume of kirsch liqueur, crushed rocks, exotic spices, and graphite. This beauty hits the palate with an incredible display of opulent, decent fruit paired with an elegance and seamlessness that needs to be tasted to be believed . . . Hats off to the Maurel family and their consultant Philippe Cambie! 100 Points Jeb Dunnuck
|
|
"Bottled only in magnum, the Châteauneuf Du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum is consistently one the greatest young Grenache releases I taste in any year, and I’m happy to report that the 2017 is no exception. Incredible kirsch liqueur, dried flowers, crème caramel, garrigue, pepper, incense, and herbes de Provence notes all literally soar from the glass, and it has a rare sense of intensity paired with incredible complexity. Full-bodied, remarkably textured, seamless, and multi-dimensional on the palate, it has silky tannins and a huge, opulent style that’s hard to describe." 100 Points Jeb Dunnuck
|
|
If you have any questions, concerns or quandaries don't hesitate to reach out via phone (949)748-4845 or email at jchristensen@spectrumwine.com. |
| | SPECTRUM WINE AUCTIONS & RETAIL
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA
www.SpectrumWine.com
PHONE: 949 748 4845
PHONE: 888 982 1982
FAX: 949 567 1360
HOURS:
Mon - Fri, 9:00am - 5:00pm
|
| SPECTRUM WINE AUCTIONS & RETAIL
TSIM SHA TSUI, HONG KONG
www.SpectrumWine.com
PHONE: 852 2116 1103
FAX: 949 567 1360
EMAIL: Info@SpectrumWine.com
ADDRESS:
Room 1603, 16/FMiramar Tower
132 Nathan Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong |
| SPECTRUM WINE RETAILNEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA
www.SpectrumWine.com
PHONE: 949 631 1212
EMAIL: Info@SpectrumWine.com
ADDRESS:
110 Tustin Ave
Newport Beach CA 92663-4703
USA
HOURS:
Sun, 11:00am - 6:00pm
Mon, 10:00am - 6:00pm
Tue - Sat, 9:30am - 7:00pm |
| | SPECTRUM WINE STORAGE
ADDRESS:
1692 Browning
Irvine CA 92606-4809
USA
HOURS: Mon - Sat, 10:00am - 6:00pm |
| SPECTRUM WINE STORAGE
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA
www.SpectrumWine.com
ADDRESS:
865 Production Pl
Newport Beach CA 92663-2809
USA
HOURS: By Appointment |
|
|
| | |
