TN: 2005 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina

mike_pobega · August 6, 2009, 6:19pm

2005 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (8/4/2009)
The nose was all exotic spices and black cherries. The palate reveals some silky and uber-ripened black cherries, black pepper, soy, cedar, vanilla and some crushed pebbles. That rich exotic quality is sure present through-out. A medium weight mouthfeel with some deftly balanced tannins, which were just slightly angular, and a moderate acid base. A long finish of 90+ seconds. This wine needs at least 5 more years to show itself as it was surely holding back about 50% of what I believe it could be: A wonderfully elegant but powerfully possessive character-filled Châteauneuf. It really has it all, it just needs to come together. Thanks Rob. (93 pts.)

Daniel_Posner · August 6, 2009, 6:20pm

This is one serious wine!!!

Jack_Bulkin · August 6, 2009, 6:30pm

Thanks for the fine note Mikey. I have a couple that got a little warm on Monday.

jcoley3 · August 6, 2009, 9:25pm

I grade very tough on CdP, but I was very impressed by the one glass I had of this a few months ago. It struck me as very modern, but with none of the perjorative typically attached to “modern.” Not quite my favorite style of CdP, but I wouldn’t have turned down a second glass, or a third…

Daniel_Posner · August 6, 2009, 9:28pm

It is modern, but it is outstanding!

B_Stucker · August 7, 2009, 1:20am

Who hacked into Mike’s account and posted a note on a french wine?

Mark_F_r_a_n_k_s · August 7, 2009, 1:16pm

Mike, I’m amazed how similar our wine drinking paths are, Cal Cabs first and foremost, delving into Washington St wines, Syrahs, and now the Rhone (which I’ve been getting into a lot lately). Is this the natural progression? I’ve also had a few (gasp) Bordeaux lately that I’ve liked.

mike_pobega · August 7, 2009, 1:29pm

Mark, the key point for me here is this: This wine is very new world. No funk, no barnyard. I am sure I would like a few bordeaux out there, most probable, Pavie. But as a whole, no, my heart is on terra firma. On the same table was a typical Right Banker, which, I hated.

Here’s a telling blog entry from last year. It basically shows my appreciation growing for the same producers (Alain-Graillot) wines as the house style surely moved toward new world taste.
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Mark_F_r_a_n_k_s · August 7, 2009, 1:36pm

Mike,
Don’t think I’ll be running out to buy futures of Ch Anything, but I did have some Pape Clement recently that rocked my world.

Cheers!

Steve_Eisenhauer · August 7, 2009, 2:46pm

Mike - Next time we sit down together, we should pop an '07 Graillot C-H. I believe you’ll like it also.

Jeb_Dunnuck · August 7, 2009, 3:07pm

Mike, there’s a large chunk of Mourvedre in there… close to 40%. While I agree this shows serious polish, I still think it shows plenty of southern rhone character. Also, there’s lots of producers from the rhone making wines in this pure, clean style. Give saint prefert, giraud, both usseglio’s… or hell, any of the '07s a try for that matter as the fruit is front and center in that vintage. Thanks for the note.

Daniel_Posner · August 7, 2009, 4:37pm

2007 is a very fruit forward, aka California vintage.
2005 will be a vintage for the long haul.

Two distinct differences.

Both delicious for what they are.

Jeb made some good suggests. Try some Domaine St Prefert!