Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Aciditymedium
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaklarge or old casks

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 in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryLong finish

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.
  • Grilled bone-in entrecote
    Concentrated dark fruit and firm tannins handle char-grilled beef.

How to serve Clos Saint-Jean La Combe des Fous

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. 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.

  1. 2004: La 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

cellar worthy dry firm tannin full body grenache medium acid mood bold mood savoury mourvedre occasion cellar occasion special old vines old world pairs with game pairs with red meat pairs with truffles price fine still red syrah

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