The 2020 Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina is a proprietary blend from the renowned Rhone region of France. This red wine, produced by Clos Saint-Jean, is a powerful and complex blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, showcasing the best qualities of these varietals. With an alcohol content of 16.0%, it is a robust wine that promises longevity and depth.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine an impressive score of 97, noting its "spicy, perfumed, complex bouquet of red and black fruits, dried flowers, pepper, and Provençal herbs" with additional "gamey, meaty notes" emerging over time. He describes it as full-bodied with "ultra-fine yet building tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish," suggesting it will benefit from 4-5 years of aging and has a potential longevity of over 20 years.
Wine Spectator also gave this wine a stellar 97 points, praising its "bitter plum, raspberry and black cherry reduction notes" that are complemented by a "lively savory, garrigue streak." The review highlights its "grippy-edged tar, tobacco and ganache notes" that pepper the finish. Described as "muscular and dense," the wine is nonetheless balanced by its fruit core, making it an excellent candidate for aging, with optimal drinking from 2025 through 2040.
Vinous reviewer Nicolas Greinacher rated the wine at 94 points, emphasizing its "pronounced aromas of raspberry and cherry liqueur, strawberry compote, cured meat, dried lavender, cardamom, mint, and a ferrous twist of crushed rocks." He describes the wine as "full-bodied, broad-shouldered and layered," with "ever-so-velvety tannins and high levels of bright acidity." The finish is notably complex and long-lasting.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 96, adds to the praise, highlighting the blend's toasty, vanilla-stained aromas of black cherries, plums, and licorice. Joe Czerwinski notes its "full-bodied, richly concentrated and tannic yet lively and long" profile, with a finish that lingers with "subtle echoes of dark chocolate."
In summary, the 2020 Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina is a well-regarded, complex red wine that has received excellent reviews across the board. It's a powerful blend with a rich bouquet and a promising future, suitable for aging and sure to impress wine enthusiasts.