2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, La Combe des Fous, Clos St. Jean
The domain is moderately large at 44 hectares, with a wealth of old vine Grenache, much of it planted at the beginning of the twentieth century. None of the Grenache sees any wood, but is all aged in concrete tanks. Meanwhile the wines from Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Vaccarese may spend some time in barriques but for the most part only of one to three years age.
In 2006, only a handful of other producers in Chateauneuf du Pape hit the heights achieved by Clos St.-Jean with [this] wine. Virtually perfect, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous possesses a dense ruby/purple color in addition to an extraordinary nose of ground pepper, spice box, black currants, and kirsch, and full-bodied, powerful, spicy flavors. Resembling haute couture with its seamless integration of acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this is a prodigious wine to smell, taste, and consume." - Robert Parker, 98 Points. (Wine Advocate # 179)