2005 Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf du Pape la Combe des Fous

Up there with the '07, yet in a different style, the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Combe des Fous is a blockbuster that tops out on my scale. Exotic, perfumed and layered, with incredible kirsch, ground herbs, pepper and hints of olive tapenade-like aromas and flavors, this beauty is full-bodied and flawless on the palate, with ultra-fine tannin structure, building richness and a finish that just won't quit. Given its depth of fruit, it's a sheer joy to drink even today, yet will continue to knock it out of the park over the coming decade or more. Review Date: August 2014