Clos Saint Jean's house style is that of pure fruit expression, and their 'La Combe Des Fous' leans into that wholeheartedly.

The vineyard was planted around 1910 by a grower described in the winery's literature as a "madman" for trying to utilise a vineyard with stony soils so stony there was basically nothing but rocks for the vines to latch onto. A hundred years later, the vineyard is not only growing with great success, but this stony soil is what Chateaneuf du Pape is known for.

A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Vaccarese, with the Grenache aged in concrete vats and the remaining blending grapes aged in new oak for nine months.

The 2018 wines in Chateauneuf du Pape are excellent. The growing season was a hot, dry summer with cool nights preserving freshness and bold fruitiness over structure. Ideal conditions for this particular wine.

Other critics:  97 points, Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate); 98 points, Jeb Dunnock.