Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina 2012 Clos Saint Jean

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (98)

The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina is a blend of 60% Grenache aged in foudre (from close to 100-year-old vines) and 40% Mourvedre aged in demi-muids. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by incredible notes of cassis, roasted meats, licorice, toasted spice and a liquid rock-like minerality. Full-bodied, massive and concentrated, yet also seamless, elegant and incredibly polished, it flows onto the palate with building tannin, no hard edges and perfect balance. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this merit a perfect rating in the future, and it should hit prime-time drinking around age 10, and have 20-25 years of overall longevity. It’s one of the few wines to hit this level of quality in the vintage.

James Suckling (96)

Big but deftly balanced, with tiers of fig, blackberry, black currant and plum fruit supported by baker's chocolate, maduro tobacco, pepper, bay leaf and roasted alder notes. The intense finish lingers.

BOW (8.75)