From Avignon: Châteauneuf du Pape Half-Day Wine Tour
Embark on a half-day wine tour from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Enjoy a scenic photo stop at the ruins of the Pope's summer residence, then visit two wineries for ...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Best 5 to 20 years from vintage.
vintage5 yrs20 yrs22 yrs
Critic scores
No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.
In the glass
Aroma: cassis, dark cherry, licorice, roasted meat, dried herbs
Palate: inky black fruit, firm tannins, mineral depth, tobacco, long herb finish
Structured, dark, and inky Chateauneuf with Mourvedre backbone adding iron and tobacco notes alongside Grenache's dark fruit and spice.
What it pairs with
- Rack of lamb with black truffle crust Mourvedre backbone and herb notes are classic with lamb and truffle.More wines for truffles →
- Grilled bone-in entrecote Concentrated dark fruit and firm tannins handle char-grilled beef.More wines for steak →
With cheese
How to serve Clos Saint-Jean La Combe des Fous
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Rack of lamb with black truffle crust, Grilled bone-in entrecote. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
La Combe des Fous is the intermediate prestige cuvee at Clos Saint-Jean, sitting between the estate classique and the extreme Deus-Ex Machina. It draws from older-vine parcels with a higher proportion of Mourvedre than the classic.
- 2004La Combe des Fous first produced as a distinct cuvee at Clos Saint-Jean
Facts
- Producer
- Clos Saint-Jean · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Grenache (70%), Mourvedre (20%), Syrah (10%)
- Classification
- Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
- Oak
- Old large foudres; extended maceration
- ABV
- 15.0%
- Price
- EUR 80-150 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2004
Frequently asked about Clos Saint-Jean La Combe des Fous
What does Clos Saint-Jean La Combe des Fous taste like?
On the nose, cassis, dark cherry, licorice, roasted meat, dried herbs. On the palate, inky black fruit, firm tannins, mineral depth, tobacco, long herb finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. Structured, dark, and inky Chateauneuf with Mourvedre backbone adding iron and tobacco notes alongside Grenache's dark fruit and spice.
When should I drink Clos Saint-Jean La Combe des Fous?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Clos Saint-Jean La Combe des Fous?
Rack of lamb with black truffle crust is the canonical pairing; Grilled bone-in entrecote is the other strong match. Mourvedre backbone and herb notes are classic with lamb and truffle.
What grapes are in Clos Saint-Jean La Combe des Fous?
The blend is Grenache (70%), Mourvedre (20%), Syrah (10%). The wine is classified as Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC.
Tags
Taste it where it is made: tastings near Clos Saint-Jean
Wine Tour: On the Way to Chateauneuf du Pape
Enjoy some wine tastings in the southern part of the Rhône Valley.
From Avignon: Rhône Wine Tour Featuring Châteauneuf du Pape
Taste Châteauneuf du Pape wines on a wine tour guided by Arnaud, a Provence native. Choose a two-winery tour within Châteauneuf du Pape or a broader itinerary across o...
Wine tastings and winery visits in Lyon and the Rhône Valley (15) · Wine tours and day trips in Lyon and the Rhône Valley (52) · Wine and cheese tastings in Lyon and the Rhône Valley (4)