CDP La Combe Des Fous 2010

Clos Saint Jean

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy

Tasting Notes
Also up with the top wines of the vintage, the 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Combe des Fous shows the darker fruit and minerality of the vintage with its crème de cassis, blackberry, ground pepper, licorice and ample crushed rock-like minerality. Gaining more than one expletive in the notes, this full-bodied 2010 has thrilling purity of fruit, massive underlying structure and a rich, layered and decadent feel on the finish. As with most 2010s, it needs another 3 to 4 years of bottle age and will easily have two decades of overall longevity. Score: 99 Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-237 01 August 2014
Deep, dark cherry colour. Certainly no shortage of colour in the 2012s on the right bank. Alexandre Thienpont describes 2012 as 'a Merlot vintage of pedigree and balance', and this year only 12% Cabernet Franc (a third of the total), and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, went into the grand vin - although the Cabernet Franc was very much needed for freshness and they found 100% Merlot was too simple - you have to have soils like those of Petrus and Le Pin to produce a very fine 100% Merlot. The vintage conditions favoured old vines on the best sites. 33 hl/h, harvested 1-11 October but even by 11 October not all the Cabernet Franc was fully ripe and by then it was too late as they saw some rot developing. pH 3.8, TA 3.2 g/l (sulphuric, ie 4.89 g/l tartaric), IPT 75. Approx 75% new oak. High level of coulure, and very strict selection, giving rise to one of the lowest yields in the last 20 years. Strong graphite aroma on the nose even though there is less Cabernet Franc than in some years. Silky tannins pull you along to a dry, polished finish. Cool and fresh with sweet blueberry fruit on the mid palate and a touch of earthiness adding savour. Very fine tannins. Earlier drinking wine than 2009 or 2010. Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2031 01 October 2012
The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous (meaning 'the swale of fools') comes from a 33-acre parcel of 50-55 year old vines in La Crau. Composed of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Vaccarese and 10% Cinsault, it has long been one of my favorite single vineyard Chateauneufs from Clos Saint-Jean. The Grenache is aged in tank and the Syrah in small barrels. It boasts a dense blue/purple color as well as copious notes of charcuterie, smoked duck, bouquet garni, spring flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries, charcoal and licorice. Full-bodied with striking intensity and richness, good acidity, and a 60-second finish, it reminds me of the youthful 2005 combined with the sweet tannin and expansiveness of the 2007. It should drink well for 25-30 years. Score: 98 - 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2041 01 October 2011

Tasting Notes

Also up with the top wines of the vintage, the 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Combe des Fous shows the darker fruit and minerality of the vintage with its crème de cassis, blackberry, ground pepper, licorice and ample crushed rock-like minerality. Gaining more than one expletive in the notes, this full-bodied 2010 has thrilling purity of fruit, massive underlying structure and a rich, layered and decadent feel on the finish. As with most 2010s, it needs another 3 to 4 years of bottle age and will easily have two decades of overall longevity.

Score: 99

Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-237 01 August 2014

Deep, dark cherry colour. Certainly no shortage of colour in the 2012s on the right bank. Alexandre Thienpont describes 2012 as 'a Merlot vintage of pedigree and balance', and this year only 12% Cabernet Franc (a third of the total), and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, went into the grand vin - although the Cabernet Franc was very much needed for freshness and they found 100% Merlot was too simple - you have to have soils like those of Petrus and Le Pin to produce a very fine 100% Merlot. The vintage conditions favoured old vines on the best sites. 33 hl/h, harvested 1-11 October but even by 11 October not all the Cabernet Franc was fully ripe and by then it was too late as they saw some rot developing. pH 3.8, TA 3.2 g/l (sulphuric, ie 4.89 g/l tartaric), IPT 75. Approx 75% new oak. High level of coulure, and very strict selection, giving rise to one of the lowest yields in the last 20 years. Strong graphite aroma on the nose even though there is less Cabernet Franc than in some years. Silky tannins pull you along to a dry, polished finish. Cool and fresh with sweet blueberry fruit on the mid palate and a touch of earthiness adding savour. Very fine tannins. Earlier drinking wine than 2009 or 2010.

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2031 01 October 2012

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous (meaning 'the swale of fools') comes from a 33-acre parcel of 50-55 year old vines in La Crau. Composed of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Vaccarese and 10% Cinsault, it has long been one of my favorite single vineyard Chateauneufs from Clos Saint-Jean. The Grenache is aged in tank and the Syrah in small barrels. It boasts a dense blue/purple color as well as copious notes of charcuterie, smoked duck, bouquet garni, spring flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, blackberries, charcoal and licorice. Full-bodied with striking intensity and richness, good acidity, and a 60-second finish, it reminds me of the youthful 2005 combined with the sweet tannin and expansiveness of the 2007. It should drink well for 25-30 years.

Score: 98 - 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2041 01 October 2011

Your Lists & Checkout

New Arrivals

Advanced Search

wine regions

quick links

CDP La Combe Des Fous 2010

Clos Saint Jean

search wines

Full wine List

RSS feeds

wine regions

join our mailing list