The 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape la Combe des Fous is more elegant and silky, with full-bodied notes of crème de cassis and black raspberry fruits intermixed with loads of spice, incense, and dried flowers. More approachable and seamless than the Deus Ex Machina, it’s nevertheless powerful and concentrated, with fine, elegant tannin. It’s another awesome wine from the Maurel brothers and consultant Philippe Cambie that will keep for another 15+ years.

The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape la Combe des Fous is another gorgeous wine from this estate that offers incredible richness while never seeming heavy, cumbersome or over-the-top. A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest Muscardin, Vaccarese and Cinsault, it exhibits thrilling cassis, black raspberry, chocolate, crushed flowers and exotic spice. Full-bodied, seamless and incredibly elegant, it has the polish and balance to drink nicely now, but will evolve for 15 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

Dense, offering thickly layered fig, blackberry and black currant fruit, this is still quite primal, with loads of bay, tobacco, ganache and lavender notes waiting in reserve, held in check by loamy grip for now. Serious graphite elements harness the finish. Should be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2035. 50 cases imported. –JM

Clos Saint Jean is clearly on a roll. And this vintage of La Combe de Fous is no exception. Thyme, black cherry, earth and tapenade on the nose. With lush, round, fat, juicy textures, full body and a rich, kirsch and black cherry blast in the end note. The wine is sweet, yet retains its freshness.