60% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre

Jeb Dunnuck: 95

Jeb Dunnuck: Coming from an old vine selection and a smaller production release for the US market, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes tastes like the classic cuvée, only on steroids. Kirsch, loads of black and blue fruits, flowers and lavender notes all emerge from this full-bodied 2015 that has fine, fine tannin, solid mid-palate depth and a great finish. It certainly offers pleasure today, yet will keep for 10-15 years.

Founded at the turn of the 20th century, Clos Saint-Jean shot to fame with its 2003 vintage after attracting the attention of Robert Parker, who commanded the 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina for being a candidate for the appellation’s “wine of the vintage”.

Founded by Edmund Tacussel in 1900, Clos Saint-Jean is today managed by his great-great-grandchildren, Pascal and Vincent Maurel, who took the estate to a new level after bringing on board the late Rhône consulting oenologist Philippe Cambie in 2002. Not only are most of their vines located within the famed Le Crau plot, Clos Saint-Jean also owns a small parcel of Mourvèdre in the lieu-dit of BoisDauphin near Château Rayas.