2018 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina Magnum
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 1.5 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2025 - 2038 |
Low Stock
Only 2 left
Description
Clos Saint Jean can easily be counted as one of the top houses in the appellation. It is a company with a huge history of international top scores. Clos Saint Jean makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape as Châteauneuf-du-Pape was intended. In addition, the winery also makes a Vin de Pays de Vaucluse that is among the best in the region.
Sourced from one small plot in the famous La Crau part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This plot was planted in 1905 and produces low yields. After harvest, the grapes are destemmed. Some of the grapes are crushed (depending on the harvest year). The grapes are then fermented in concrete barrels. This can take up to 35 days, including peeling. After fermentation, the wine undergoes maturation in demi-muids (640 liter oak barrels).
It is characterized by the new oak demi-muids, with layers of vanilla and cedar lying atop lush cherry fruit on the nose, and lightly drying wood tannins visible on the full palate and continuing into the long finish. Personally, I prefer the less noticeable wood influences and nuanced complexities in the estate's other premium cuvées in 2018, but the hedonistic appeal of this 100% Grenache is undeniable.
The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina shares a sense of elegance with its vintage stablemate, the La Combe des Fous. Kirsch, stone fruit, black cherries, licorice, pomegranate…the list could go on and on. And while the wine is undeniably full-bodied, it does not come across as heavy or hot, but is built on a lacy, silky structure of fine tannins and round acidity that lingers in the finish.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhone |
| Appellation | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Winery | Clos Saint Jean |
| Grape | Grenache |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2038 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 97 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 97
Reviewed by:
Joe Czerwinski
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2020 - 2030
Another terrific effort from this estate, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina shares a sense of elegance with its vintage stablemate, the La Combe des Fous. Kirsch, stone fruit, black cherries, licorice, pomegranate…the list could go on and on. And while the wine is undeniably full-bodied, it doesn't come across as heavy or hot, instead being built on a lacy, silky structure of fine tannins and rounded acids that linger on the finish.
Pascal Maurel was reasonably happy with the 2018 vintage when I visited him in June 2019. "It's fine, elegant, feminine, not powerful like '15, '16, '17, but another side of the appellation," he said. His estate also controlled the mildew reasonably well, averaging yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare. The Maurel brothers have made a 2018 Sancto Santorum, but it wasn't available for tasting on the day of my visit. The 2017s have once again emerged as some of the finest wines in the appellation. "We were afraid [of the tannins] in the beginning," he said. "But after the élevage, we [found] the structure [to be] something very fine and well balanced." In addition to the 2017s and 2018s, we tasted three cuvées from 2009. "It wasn't the greatest vintage," Maurel said. "But it has some common points with 2017." While the regular bottling should be drunk up, the Deus Ex Machina still looks young, with plenty of life ahead of it.
The Maurel brothers went the extra mile to send me tank and barrel samples of their 2019s, so I've included those reviews here alongside the reviews of the bottled 2018s. Both years are successful here—the 2019s maybe slightly denser and more concentrated than the more elegant 2018s, but they aren't always better. This estate has become a model of consistency and excellence.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
Drinking Window
2026 - 2038
From: Châteauneuf-du-Pape Weathers the Challenges and Changes (Oct 2021)
Saturated violet. Expansive, mineral-accented black raspberry and boysenberry aromas are complemented by hints of licorice, vanilla and pungent flowers. Youthfully chewy and concentrated on the palate, offering sweet dark berry, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors sharpened by building spice and mineral flourishes. Rich yet energetic in style, finishing with excellent clarity and dusty tannins that sneak in late.
- By Josh Raynolds on July 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Clos Saint Jean can easily be counted as one of the top houses in the appellation. It is a company with an enormous history of international top scores. Clos Saint Jean makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape as Châteauneuf-du-Pape is meant to be. In addition, the winery also makes a Vin de Pays de Vaucluse that is among the best in the region.
The Clos Saint Jean brand has been around since 1910 and has always stood for traditionally made, tough, red wines in what would later be called the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. In 2001, the two brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel took the decision to change course and deviate from the way their father, Guy Maurel, who died prematurely in 2002. Guy Maurel was a traditional winemaker, who preferred to spend his time in the vineyard. Many of his colleagues praise his vineyards as "the most beautiful in Châteauneuf". There had to be more to it, the brothers thought. They hired the help of winemaker Philippe Cambie for the 2002 harvest. Unfortunately, that harvest was one that does not happen very often in Châteauneuf: a very bad one. The brothers decide not to bottle anything under their own name and sell their entire harvest in bulk.
In 2003 they try again and this time it goes well: they make what are perhaps the best wines of the vintage. Robert Parker wrote about the wines of Clos Saint Jean: "Châteauneuf-du-Pape or even red wine in general simply can't be any better than this".
Today, Pascal and Vincent Maurel are in charge of the domain. The vineyard area is a total of 43 hectares, a large part of which is also old vines.
Clos Saint Jean can easily be counted as one of the top houses in the appellation. It is a company with a huge history of international top scores. Clos Saint Jean makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape as Châteauneuf-du-Pape was intended. In addition, the winery also makes a Vin de Pays de Vaucluse that is among the best in the region.
Sourced from one small plot in the famous La Crau part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This plot was planted in 1905 and produces low yields. After harvest, the grapes are destemmed. Some of the grapes are crushed (depending on the harvest year). The grapes are then fermented in concrete barrels. This can take up to 35 days, including peeling. After fermentation, the wine undergoes maturation in demi-muids (640 liter oak barrels).
It is characterized by the new oak demi-muids, with layers of vanilla and cedar lying atop lush cherry fruit on the nose, and lightly drying wood tannins visible on the full palate and continuing into the long finish. Personally, I prefer the less noticeable wood influences and nuanced complexities in the estate's other premium cuvées in 2018, but the hedonistic appeal of this 100% Grenache is undeniable.
The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina shares a sense of elegance with its vintage stablemate, the La Combe des Fous. Kirsch, stone fruit, black cherries, licorice, pomegranate…the list could go on and on. And while the wine is undeniably full-bodied, it does not come across as heavy or hot, but is built on a lacy, silky structure of fine tannins and round acidity that lingers in the finish.
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhone |
| Appellation | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Winery | Clos Saint Jean |
| Grape | Grenache |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2038 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 97 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 97
Reviewed by:
Joe Czerwinski
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2020 - 2030
Another terrific effort from this estate, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina shares a sense of elegance with its vintage stablemate, the La Combe des Fous. Kirsch, stone fruit, black cherries, licorice, pomegranate…the list could go on and on. And while the wine is undeniably full-bodied, it doesn't come across as heavy or hot, instead being built on a lacy, silky structure of fine tannins and rounded acids that linger on the finish.
Pascal Maurel was reasonably happy with the 2018 vintage when I visited him in June 2019. "It's fine, elegant, feminine, not powerful like '15, '16, '17, but another side of the appellation," he said. His estate also controlled the mildew reasonably well, averaging yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare. The Maurel brothers have made a 2018 Sancto Santorum, but it wasn't available for tasting on the day of my visit. The 2017s have once again emerged as some of the finest wines in the appellation. "We were afraid [of the tannins] in the beginning," he said. "But after the élevage, we [found] the structure [to be] something very fine and well balanced." In addition to the 2017s and 2018s, we tasted three cuvées from 2009. "It wasn't the greatest vintage," Maurel said. "But it has some common points with 2017." While the regular bottling should be drunk up, the Deus Ex Machina still looks young, with plenty of life ahead of it.
The Maurel brothers went the extra mile to send me tank and barrel samples of their 2019s, so I've included those reviews here alongside the reviews of the bottled 2018s. Both years are successful here—the 2019s maybe slightly denser and more concentrated than the more elegant 2018s, but they aren't always better. This estate has become a model of consistency and excellence.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
Drinking Window
2026 - 2038
From: Châteauneuf-du-Pape Weathers the Challenges and Changes (Oct 2021)
Saturated violet. Expansive, mineral-accented black raspberry and boysenberry aromas are complemented by hints of licorice, vanilla and pungent flowers. Youthfully chewy and concentrated on the palate, offering sweet dark berry, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors sharpened by building spice and mineral flourishes. Rich yet energetic in style, finishing with excellent clarity and dusty tannins that sneak in late.
- By Josh Raynolds on July 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Clos Saint Jean can easily be counted as one of the top houses in the appellation. It is a company with an enormous history of international top scores. Clos Saint Jean makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape as Châteauneuf-du-Pape is meant to be. In addition, the winery also makes a Vin de Pays de Vaucluse that is among the best in the region.
The Clos Saint Jean brand has been around since 1910 and has always stood for traditionally made, tough, red wines in what would later be called the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. In 2001, the two brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel took the decision to change course and deviate from the way their father, Guy Maurel, who died prematurely in 2002. Guy Maurel was a traditional winemaker, who preferred to spend his time in the vineyard. Many of his colleagues praise his vineyards as "the most beautiful in Châteauneuf". There had to be more to it, the brothers thought. They hired the help of winemaker Philippe Cambie for the 2002 harvest. Unfortunately, that harvest was one that does not happen very often in Châteauneuf: a very bad one. The brothers decide not to bottle anything under their own name and sell their entire harvest in bulk.
In 2003 they try again and this time it goes well: they make what are perhaps the best wines of the vintage. Robert Parker wrote about the wines of Clos Saint Jean: "Châteauneuf-du-Pape or even red wine in general simply can't be any better than this".
Today, Pascal and Vincent Maurel are in charge of the domain. The vineyard area is a total of 43 hectares, a large part of which is also old vines.