In the winter of 2001, sadly, the father of Pascal and Vincent Maurel passed away.  The two brothers took over management of the family domaine, with some of the best situated vines in all of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, all in the area of La Crau, starting in 2002.  One of the first things they did was hire Philippe Cambie as consulting oenologist/viticulturist, and he is, as is well-known to readers of Robert Parker’s writings, one of the greatest oenologists of Chateauneuf.  Up until September 8, the year 2002 was one of the most promising vintages in recent times, but again, sadly, there was the disastrous flood that ruined the vintage.  The Maurels sold off the entire crop to negociants, and made no wine (a famous oenologist hired for nothing).  But then came 2003 and with one year in total control the brothers and Mr. Cambie were ready, and they absolutely nailed the 2003 vintage down to perfection.  What they did was a little counter-intuitive, following the calamity of 2002, and took enormous courage—they waited, and waited, to pick.  So even though 2003 was a hot year with high sugars early they did not succumb to the temptation to get in the crop before it might rain, but instead held off.  As Mr. Cambie told me, they started picking late in September, when virtually everyone else had finished.  The result of this gamble is bringing joy to all who love Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  The wines all display supreme physiological and phenolic ripeness, without notes of surmaturity or over-ripeness.  They are all deeply color, rich and profound, even at an early stage.

 There are three cuvees.  The first is the Clos St. Jean.  Unlike many domains in Chateauneuf, which make “super cuvees” at the expense of the classic cuvee, the Maurels and Mr. Cambie have selected superb fruit for the Clos St. Jean classic—about 85%  old-vines Grenache (younger Grenache being sold off to negociants), 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre, and 2% old-vines Cinsault.   Another cuvee is called Combe des Fous (Hill of Fools).  This cuvee is from a specific parcel on Crau that long ago was considered too difficult to work, but the Maurels’ grand-father was fool enough to think he could succeed here, and as one can see in this wine the Grenache from this now old-vines parcel (70% of the cuvee) is superbly rich and complex.  The balance of this cuvee is the Maurels’ best Syrah aged in barrique, with a small amount of  rich Cinsault.  The third cuvee, the curtain-call if you will, is named Deus Ex-Machina, and as it’s base (60%) has the Maurels’ centenaire (and older) Grenache vines.   The remaining 40% is superb, low-yielding Mourvedre, a variety un-excelled in 2003, at this domaine.

The 2004s of the Maurel brothers look to be every bit as great as these much-heralded 2003s, and this is a domaine which we are most privileged and excited to represent.  For those who prefer rich, ripe, mouth-filling Chateauneuf, with enormous ripeness (the wines state 14.5% alc.on the label, but they are a good bit more than that), and astonishing length,  they will love these wines.  “Pape-culturists” will find heaven here.

 

Technical Information:

Clos St Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes
Clos St Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Combe des Fous
Clos St Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina
Clos St Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
Clos St Jean History of Domaine