Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous 2021

Clos Saint-Jean is more than just one of the Rhône’s most cherished estates – it’s one of the finest in the world year after year. We’re always thrilled to try another one of their impeccable wines, and this 2021 La Combe des Fous CdP lives up to every ounce of expectation. With 96 points and a generously juicy, mineral-tinged body, this brooding old-vine Grenache blend is officially over 55% off here at First Bottle only.

This historic property helped change Châteauneuf-du-Pape forever when it began bottling estate wines over a century ago, before the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape officially existed. Known for their modern, clean, and voluptuous style – Clos Saint-Jean works wonders with Grenache, Syrah, and other Rhône varieties – and their old-vine plots are the envy of many CdP stalwarts.

While many struggled with the cool and zippy vintage of 2021 – Clos Saint-Jean may have produced some of their most compelling wines ever. Wine Spectator calls this “a gorgeous wine” while Jeb Dunnuck says, “it has an incredibly Burgundian style” and is “a dead ringer for a great Clos Vougeot” (Grand Cru Burgundy wines, which often retail for $300-$500+, FYI). The legendary Philippe Cambie was the winemaker here – with this harvest, his very last before passing away in December of 2021. While he didn’t get to see this bottling finished, you can be certain his wisdom was never far from mind as every decision was made.

Per usual, the Grenache (60%) was fermented and aged exclusively in tank – avoiding oak contact to maintain freshness and vivacity – while the Syrah (20%), Cinsault (10%), and Vaccarèse (10%) are reared in barrel and oak vats, to round out the final product and amplify the glorious spice notes found here. It’s a stunningly complex, focused, and pure expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape that is sure to delight, with an intensity of Amarena cherries and raspberries to meld beautifully with the myriad spice box, orange peel, and tobacco elements. Ripe but never heavy, with classic garrigue and elegance wound through its very bones –  it simply doesn’t get more delectable than this!

PAIRING IDEAS: Try something a little unexpected with these spicy-sweet Korean-inspired Gochujang chicken bites to pull out all the spiced, juice-bomb elements from this glorious CdP.