2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina

Glass-staining ruby. The nose offers a drop-dead sexy array of berry, floral and mineral scents, along with nuances of spicecake and black olive. Impressively deep and sweet but also energetic, displaying dense red and dark fruit liqueur flavors and sexy floral pastille and baking spice qualities. The mineral quality comes on strong with air and lends lift and urgency to the very long, spicy finish. This is slightly more elegant than the Comte des Fous but just as potent.

A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, the perfect 2007 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina is similar to the ’05 with its amazing purity, texture and length. On the nose, toasted spice, beef blood, grilled meat and garrigue literally jump from the glass and are framed by perfectly ripe, licorice infused fruit. The palate is deeper and more structured than the Combe des Fous and is a perfect blend of suave, elegant fruit and power, structure and intensity. The massive fruit and unbelievable texture almost make it hard to find the structure to the wine but the edge and tannic backbone on the finish are truly something. I’d drink this any time but the recommendation per the domaine is to cellar for a number of years.