93 points,

Rhone Report, The, August 2010

Deeper and richer than the Combe des Fous, the 2008 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina, a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, delivers licorice-infused dark fruits, grilled meats, dried flowers, and subtle garrigue aromatics. This top '08 is medium to full bodied with a firm, structured core, superb texture and a long, tannic finish. Give bottles 2 to 3 years in the cellar and then drink over the following 10+. Note, this bottle had been open for a day prior to tasting.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2010

The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus-Ex Machina is the wine of the vintage. A dense purple color is accompanied by astonishing levels of concentration, and loads of garrigue, steak tartare, grilled beef, Provencal herbs, blackberries, blueberries and a touch of graphite. Full-bodied and rich with moderate tannins and a long finish, this is an aberration for a 2008. However, if it's a freak, it's an extraordinary one. Give it 2-3 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 25 years.

What can I write that will give proper acknowledgment to what has occurred at this extraordinary estate since 2002, when brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel took control of Clos Saint-Jean, and had the foresight to bring in the gifted wine consultant/oenologist, Philippe Cambie. Their first vintage (2002) was the worst year for Chateauneuf du Pape since 1932, but they survived it to go on a make an incredible succession of wines starting with some of the finest 2003s. Those were followed each vintage with remarkable efforts, ending with what may be the finest 2008s I tasted on my recent trip. This is an old, very large estate (110+ acres) with fabulous old vine holdings throughout the appellation. They possesses vineyards in some of Chateauneuf du Pape's finest areas, including the plateau on the west, the famed La Crau on the east, and some sensational old vine parcels just north of the village. There is considerable history at Clos Saint-Jean, with the first estate-bottled wines being produced in 1910, but Vincent and Pascal's father sold the wines as they were bottled, so frequently the wines were oxidized and tired by the time they were bottled.

92 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, March 2011

Vivid ruby. Seductively perfumed nose evokes raspberry preserves, potpourri and incense, with an intense spicy quality picking up power with aeration. Sappy red and dark berry flavors are silky in texture and complicated by rose pastille, clove and star anise nuances. Already very complex, highlighted by excellent finishing lift and a hint of medicinal cherry. This doesn't taste like it came from a difficult vintage.

About Winery

If a prize were given to the Rhone Valley estate that had improved the most in the shortest period of time, it would undoubtedly go to that of Pascal and Vincent Maurel, who took over Clos Saint-Jean after their father passed away in 2002. Since then, they have made a succession of world-class wines that are out of this world. One of the largest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape, Clos Saint-Jean has an amazing number of old vine parcels in its 112+ acres (significant holdings in La Crau, in the eastern part of the appellation). No doubt the hiring of renowned oenologist Philippe Cambie has also increased the quality of these offerings. --- Robert Parker

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