CLOS SAINT-MICHEL, CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
 

RHÔNE VALLEY, FRANCE


 

As you know, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is seldom if ever a bargain, but every so often a steal of a deal shows up — and this, now, is that every so often: 
 

A 97-point bottle from one of the preeminent houses in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos St. Michel, for a best price of less than $42!
 

Decanter's review is a veritable valentine, praising its "freshness," "very dense palate," "soft" structure, and "succulent" fruit.
 

This is old-vine Châteauneuf-du-Pape, sourced from 50+ year blocks, and blended from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, and can be opened right now (if you like your wines on the racier side) or aged for the next 10-12 years.
 

Clos St. Michel has been on a dramatic trajectory since the brothers Mousset, Franck and Olivier, took over the family estate. That's not to say that Clos St. Michel was coasting or in decline; it was still putting out excellent wine, year after year. But in going throwback and adopting the methods of small-scale artisanal wineries (using largely old-vine grapes, insisting on whole-bunch fermentation, and aging the wines in oak for 24 months), the brothers Mousset have pushed the house into the top rank of producers in southern Rhône.
 

In the 7th edition of his Wine Buyer's Guide, Robert Parker recognized the massive jump in quality. "A new generation of Moussets has taken over," he wrote, "and the result is better wines than ever before."
 

We were so captivated by the concentration, extraction, and length in this Cuvée Reserve that we went back to the estate to secure another three, all from their 2017 portfolio: their 95-point Coteau Brûlé Red, their 94-point Grand Vin, and their 92-point Grand Clos.
 

Reviewing the Coteau Brûlé Red, Wine Enthusiast declared it a "standout within this producer's lineup of 2017," a "gorgeous blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache."
 

We loved its polished tannins and elegant structure, which help to keep a big, swaggering wine from becoming overrich or overwhelming.
 

You'll see a similar lushness in the Grand Vin, which shares the lingering length of the Cuvée Reserve. Wine Cellar Insider awarded it 94 points, calling it "juicy" and "deep," with "dark red fruits, herbs, and spice [that] linger[s] long after the wine has gone where it is supposed to be."
 

Last but not least, we have the Grand Clos, a "crisply balanced" Mourvèdre, in the words of Wine Enthusiast. It awarded 92 points, singling out the wine’s "inky blackberry and boysenberry flavors ... accented by hints of bramble, wild mint, and smoke."
 

We hope you share our passion for these exceptional wines, and that they'll provide you with many fine hours of sipping and relaxing over the months and years to come. 
 

But best not to sit back just yet — Châteauneuf-du-Pape remains a scalding-hot commodity among collectors, and these won't stick around for long, so act now to secure yours!



 

*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2022 (December 21, 2022 - March 21, 2023). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund.  No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.