Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2016
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The Land
Clos Saint Jean’s vineyards stretch across roughly 44 hectares in the famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, with a large portion situated on the iconic galets roulés of La Crau. These rounded stones retain and radiate heat, aiding in the ripening of the grapes while also providing excellent drainage. Beneath the surface, the vine roots descend through a complex mix of ancient and modern sediments to reach deep water reserves. The vineyards lie near the imposing Mont Ventoux and the meandering Rhône, enjoying a warm Mediterranean climate moderated by local breezes. Meticulous attention to farming methods, inspired by respect for the living world, helps preserve both the land’s natural vitality and the depth of character in the fruit.
The Wine
This Vieilles Vignes bottling from the outstanding 2016 vintage highlights the estate’s oldest parcels, primarily Grenache with smaller amounts of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarese, and Muscardin. After a full destemming, the grapes undergo a 35-day maceration in concrete tanks, a process that encourages gentle extraction of tannins and a layered aromatic profile. While Grenache is raised in tank to maintain its fresh, vibrant fruit, Syrah and Mourvèdre see aging in used French oak barrels to add subtle complexity. The resulting wine shows powerful yet refined structure, featuring a core of ripe red fruit, notes of garrigue, and hints of kirsch, supported by balanced acidity that promises many years of aging potential.
The People
Clos Saint Jean traces its roots back to 1900, when it was established by Edmund Tacussel. Over the decades, the estate evolved under the Tacussel family, who would also create Domaine Moulin Tacussel. A major turning point came in 2002, when owners Pascal and Vincent Maurel teamed with consulting oenologist Philippe Cambie. From the 2003 vintage onward, the team’s focus on precision in both vineyard and cellar propelled Clos Saint Jean to new levels of quality and recognition. Today, they continue to produce sought-after wines that reflect the unique terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the tradition that has shaped this historic property.
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The Rhône Valley is a diverse and historic wine region, divided into two distinct areas. The Northern Rhône is the birthplace of Syrah, with steep, terraced vineyards that produce some of the world's most revered wines, such as those from Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. The Southern Rhône is much more expansive, offering a wider range of styles, but typically based around Grenache-based blends, with wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape known for their complexity and power. While the region is celebrated for its reds, it also produces incredible textured whites, and as a whole the region displays the spectrum of French wine and the incredible differences that can come from small geographic changes.
Rhone Valley
Grenache is a widely planted grape variety that thrives in its Mediterranean home. In Spain, it's known as Garnacha, where it reaches its peak in the Sierra de Gredos as a pure varietal wine, while also being a key blending component in Rioja. France's Southern Rhône, notably Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is another well-known region, where Grenache is often the base of a blended wine. Grenache also finds a home in Sardinia as Cannonau, and it has spread beyond its Mediterranean origins, most famously to Australia's Barossa Valley. The resulting wines are typically light in color, yet they possess a full body and flavor, displaying mature red fruit notes, herbal spices, and often a hint of orange peel, along with soft tannins and moderate acidity. It is an incredibly versatile grape, showing different expressions based on its terroir and the winemaking style employed.
