As good, but in a more powerful, rich style, the 2010 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre. While the Mourvedre is aged in smaller barrels, the Grenache is aged only in tank. It deliver a thrilling bouquet of kirsch, blackberry liqueur, garrigue, roasted meat, and licorice (among other things) that flows to an exceedingly concentrated, full-bodied 2010 that is brilliantly textured, perfectly proportioned, and incredibly structured and tannic. As with the other wines from this estate, it remains beautifully fresh and focused, while at the same time possessing layers of texture and a decadent, voluptuous style. Certainly, it is a toe curling drink now, yet really needs short to mid-term cellaring and has decades of life ahead of it.

As good but in a more powerful rich style the 2010 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre. While the Mourvedre is aged in smaller barrels the Grenache is aged only in tank. It deliver a thrilling bouquet of kirsch blackberry liqueur garrigue roasted meat and licorice (among other things) that flows to an exceedingly concentrated full-bodied 2010 that is brilliantly textured perfectly proportioned and incredibly structured and tannic. As with the other wines from this estate it remains beautifully fresh and focused while at the same time possessing layers of texture and a decadent voluptuous style. Certainly it is a toe curling drink now yet really needs short to mid-term cellaring and has decades of life ahead of it.

Deeper and richer, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus ex Machina has been nothing short of perfection on the 3-4 times I’ve been lucky enough to try it. Muscular and powerful, with a serious, full-bodied profile, it gives up incredible aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, licorice, graphite, beef blood and loamy earth. Like most 2010s at this stage, it’s backwards and dense, and needs to be forgotten for another couple of years. This beauty will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck

Deep, incredibly concentrated and almost overflowing with everything that is great about Chateauneuf, this massive, yet perfectly balanced wine fills your mouth with layer after layer of fresh, sweet, perfectly ripe fruits. The finish lasts for at least 40 seconds! Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2010&wine=Clos%20Saint%20Jean%20Chateauneuf-du-Pape%20Deus-Ex%20Machina

This is loaded with bittersweet ganache espresso roasted fig blackberry confiture and graphite notes all of which manage to fall in stride together. Offers lots of briary grip with a Black Forest cake note driving through the finish. Dark and dense but with terrific cut. Best from 2015 through 2030. From France.-J.M.