March 13, 2025
A wine that stopped me in my tracks - Clos Saint Jean Sanctus Sanctorum 2022
We were at a large portfolio tasting a few weeks ago, and after sampling a significant portion of the room, we ended up at the stand of Clos Saint Jean. The final wine—the Sanctus Sanctorum 2022—quite simply stopped us in our tracks. We had to secure an allocation and share the tip about this exceptional wine.
"Even in the more difficult vintages, they’re able to produce charming, balanced, delicious wine, and in top vintages, they produce some of the greatest wines on earth. As I’ve written in the past, Clos Saint Jean is at the top of their game and producing some of the most singular, hedonistic and brilliant wines in the world." - Jeb Dunnuck
Clos Saint Jean is often a winery that flies under the radar, yet each vintage, they produce some of the finest wines in the appellation. They blend tradition with innovation, hand-harvesting grapes for optimal quality. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel and concrete tanks for precise control, followed by ageing in concrete vats, foudres, and French oak. Known for their rich, full-bodied Châteauneuf-du-Pape, their Grenache-led wines showcase black fruit, spice, and garrigue aromas, balancing power with elegance and a silky texture.
Few winemakers can successfully produce a 100% Grenache wine in the southern Rhône, but that’s exactly what the Sanctus Sanctorum cuvée is. Sourced from the estate’s finest parcels in the famed La Crau vineyard, this cuvée epitomises the power and complexity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The terroir, marked by galets roulés over sandy soils, contributes to the wine’s remarkable concentration and finesse.
Sanctus Sanctorum is bottled exclusively in magnum format, and production is minuscule. The figures we found online indicate that, for example, only 400 magnums were produced in 2010 for the entire world.
We may not be the finest wordsmith, but after a little research, we found that Vinous perfectly summarised the wines of Clos Saint Jean:
"After Vincent and his brother, Pascal Maurel, took over the 48-hectare family estate in 2002, their collaboration with the late consultant Philippe Cambie quickly elevated Clos Saint-Jean to the top tier of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Since then, the house style has remained voluptuous and expressive—sometimes even flamboyant or eccentric. These wines are all about sexy fruit, marked intensity and richness. They are neither intellectual nor difficult to understand. Instead, they're accessible, transparent and, most importantly, easily likable. Clos Saint-Jean is one of the most consistent producers in the appellation, delivering outstanding results even in more challenging vintage conditions, like in 2008, 2014 or 2021. Though Clos Saint-Jean often cited as too powerful and concentrated for elegance-seeking palates, one must admire the quality Clos Saint-Jean has maintained since the Maurel brothers took over more than 20 years ago." - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous
This is a rare allocation and a very special cuvee from the Rhone. With limited production, high scores, a unique and almost singular style, these magnums come highly recommended.
We only have a few magnums so if Rhone wines are your thing, then don't hesitate on these.
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum 2022 (1x150cl)
€250* In Bond per MAGNUM
98 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
A real “wow” wine, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum is sensational stuff. All Grenache raised in new demi-muids, it has a translucent ruby hue as well as a killer nose of wild strawberries, new leather, white chocolate, candlewax, and toasted spices. This carries to a full-bodied, deep, layered, incredibly powerful Grenache that has fabulous tannins, flawless overall balance, and a great, great finish.
97 Points | Vinous, Nicolas Greinacher
There aren’t many people in the world who can pull off 100% new oak on Grenache, but Clos Saint-Jean can. Only bottled in magnum, the singular 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Sanctus Sanctorum is an attractive beast, packing attention-grabbing raspberry jam, wild strawberry, menthol, cedar and bourbon vanilla alongside crushed flowers and spicy licorice. Round and velvety, the 2022 offers mind-boggling intensity and walks off the stage with a long and potent finish.
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.