2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina
By Domaine du Clos Saint Jean
2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina from Domaine du Clos Saint Jean, Rhone
The 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina from Domaine du Clos Saint Jean is a glowing testament to the profound depths of character that wine can achieve through impeccable craftmanship and favourable terroir. This red Grande Dame of the Rhone Valley fused elegance and audacity in an exceptional vintage marked by perfect climatic conditions.
Evidence of the heavens in a bottle
Within every glass of this Deus Ex Machina lies a symphony of sensory expressions that are indicative of the providential gifts from Mother Nature in 2012. The significant diurnal temperature variation with moderate daytime heat, cool nights and scarce rainfall resulted in a bountiful harvest, ensuring optimal ripeness while preserving the essential acidity.
Chateauneuf du Pape is often likened to an operatic aria, and this 2012 vintage certainly hits the high notes. The Grenache and Mourvedre blend unfolds in rich layers of dark cherries and ripe blackberries underscored by nuances of cured meat, crushed stones and exotic spices that allude to the vineyard's rocky terroir.
A prized asset for discerning investors
Fine wine investment portfolios could derive remarkable value from this 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina. Its enchanting intricacies make it a desirable acquisition for those eyeing wines with extraordinary aging potential.
This simultaneously powerful yet poised red is an exemplar of Domaine du Clos Saint Jean’s winemaking virtuosity, evident in their unyielding commitment to respecting the Rhone terroir's diverse personality.
2012: A vintage echo of Rhone's melody
Capturing the quintessence of the Rhone Valley, the 2012 Deus Ex Machina is an eloquent illustration of a vintage where weather conditions colluded to nurture some of the most refined Grenache and Mourvedre grapes. Every sip reveals this climatic story in vivid gustatory detail.
The Deus Ex Machina 2012 is truly an investable wine legend in the making, a unique sonic resonance in the grand symphony that is Chateauneuf du Pape. Genuine artistry and celestial blessing combine in this monumental expression of the Rhone terroir, creating a wine that echoes down the corridors of time.
Current market price
$2,070.00
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
68.89
Scores and tasting notes
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.
Jeb Dunnuck - The Wine Advocate, 30 October 2014