Clos St. Jean Combe des Fous 2010 MG

Clos St. Jean Combe des Fous 2010 in magnum format is a monumental Châteauneuf-du-Pape, built for both immediate impact and long-term cellaring. Powerful, rich and intensely layered, it captures the darker, more mineral expression of the outstanding 2010 vintage in the Southern Rhône. Bottled in 1.5L, it offers slower, more graceful evolution, making it a superb choice for collectors and special occasions.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2010 Combe des Fous is deep, opaque ruby with a dark, almost inky core and a slight garnet hue beginning to form at the rim – a visual clue to its concentration and evolving complexity. The nose is immediately engaging and layered: earthy red berries, blackberry and crème de cassis mingle with strawberry compote, black pepper, garrigue herbs, and a distinct crushed-stone minerality. Notes of licorice, spice, and a touch of cured meat and smoke emerge with air, adding further depth. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, opulent wine with remarkable freshness and structure. The attack is rich and mouth-filling, with ripe red and black fruits – raspberry, black cherry, blackberry and cassis – wrapped in a lush, almost velvety texture. Despite its generosity, there is a firm spine of tannin and vibrant acidity that keeps everything in balance. Layers of peppery spice, licorice, dried herbs and stony minerality unfurl through a long, decadent finish. In magnum, the 2010 still has many years ahead of it; expect peak drinking from now through the next 10–15 years, with the potential to evolve gracefully for two decades from vintage, depending on storage.

Production
Combe des Fous is sourced from some of Clos St. Jean’s best parcels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, notably old-vine Grenache rooted in the region’s classic galets roulés – large, heat-retaining river stones over clay and sand – which contribute both ripeness and distinctive mineral character. The Grenache vines are famously low-yielding and often very old, providing great natural concentration. Harvesting is typically done by hand, with rigorous sorting in the vineyard and at the cellar door to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy grapes make it into the final blend. Vinification follows a parcel-by-parcel approach: Grenache is usually fermented in concrete to preserve purity of fruit, while the Syrah and other supporting varieties often see barrel fermentation or aging, including some new oak, to build structure, polish tannins and add complexity. The final blend, dominated by Grenache with a significant proportion of Syrah and small amounts of other traditional Rhône varieties, is aged to harmonize power, richness and freshness before bottling, with the magnum format further enhancing its aging capacity.

Food & Serving
This is a commanding Châteauneuf-du-Pape that shines alongside richly flavored, savory dishes. Think roast lamb with herbs, braised beef short ribs, duck confit, venison, or slow-cooked stews like daube provençale. It also pairs beautifully with game birds, truffled dishes, mushroom ragouts, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (around 60–64°F); given its youthfulness in magnum and density, decanting is strongly recommended – at least 1–2 hours, and longer if you prefer softer tannins and fully expressive aromatics. For older, well-cellared bottles, a gentler, shorter decant is advisable to preserve the more delicate tertiary notes.

Producer
Clos St. Jean is one of the benchmark estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a history that stretches back to the early 20th century and deep roots in some of the appellation’s finest terroirs. Long a respected but relatively quiet producer, the domaine rose to international prominence in the 2000s after a qualitative renaissance in both vineyard work and cellar practices, quickly earning top scores and a loyal global following. Today, Clos St. Jean is recognized for its richly textured yet beautifully balanced wines, particularly from old-vine Grenache, and for cuvées like Combe des Fous that showcase the power, purity and complexity that have made Châteauneuf-du-Pape one of France’s most revered red wine regions.

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