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.
Clos Saint Jean, Chateauneuf du Pape, La Combe des Fous