One of the candidates for the wine of the vintage is the extraordinary 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous (same blend and elevage). Probably the best cuvee of this wine yet made, the wine has a saturated purple color to the rim as well as an extraordinary nose of blackberry, blueberry, black truffle, incense, lavender, and a hint of graphite. The wine is remarkably concentrated, spectacularly pure, full-bodied, with amazing length of well over a minute. This wine is a “wow, wow” sort of wine, a profoundly great Chateauneuf du Pape. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025+.

Tasted from tank. Final blend. Wow! The 2005 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous is deep, rich and absolutely stunning with massive rich fruit, awesome balance, a beautiful full texture and a very long finish where it shows integrated, silky tannins.