Skip to content

France · Rhône Valley

Clos Saint Jean

Clos Saint Jean in Chateauneuf-du-Pape is one of the appellation's most ambitious estates, producing cuvees that represent some of the southern Rhone's most compelling contemporary wines. Under Vincent Maurel, who took over from his father Pascal, the estate has maintained the ultra-ripe, concentrated style pioneered with consultant Philippe Cambie—emphasizing fruit purity, glycerol texture, and exceptional depth from old-vine Grenache and Mourvedre on the appellation's varied terroirs. The flagship Deus ex Machina and La Combe des Fous are produced from the estate's oldest vines and best parcels. Deus ex Machina, a Grenache-dominated cuvee, is the more aromatic and approachable; La Combe des Fous, incorporating more Mourvedre and Syrah from the galets roulés, is denser and more structured. Sanctus Sanctorum is the newest ultra-premium cuvee. At auction, 857 lots average $173 per bottle reaching $1,673. The 2006 vintage is the top auction year. White Chateauneuf-du-Pape from Clos Saint Jean also appears at auction.

Deus ex Machina, from old vines averaging 70–90 years of age, has received multiple perfect or near-perfect scores from Robert Parker and other Rhone specialists; it regularly trades above $300–500 per bottle in top vintages including 2006, 2007, and 2010.
Philippe Cambie, the influential Chateauneuf-du-Pape consultant who worked with Clos Saint Jean through its quality peak, was simultaneously advising multiple top estates in the appellation—his ultra-ripe, low-sulfur approach shaped the southern Rhone's premium market profile in the 2000s.
La Combe des Fous incorporates parcels on multiple Chateauneuf soil types—galets roulés, sandy soils, and limestone clay—producing a more complex, structured blend than the single-terroir Deus ex Machina, with Mourvedre and Syrah contributing savory depth to the Grenache core.
Clos Saint Jean's auction volume of 857 lots at $173 average places it among the most actively traded premium Chateauneuf estates in secondary markets, reflecting the appellation's growing collector following driven by Rhone specialist critics and price-to-quality positioning.

Auction Lots

920

Avg Price / Bottle

$177

Top Vintage

2016

Price Range

$20 – $1.8k

In the Glass

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Grenache character with Mediterranean intensity: ripe raspberry, cherry kirsch, fig, garrigue (thyme, lavender, wild herbs), white pepper, and iron mineral. Deus ex Machina is the most aromatic—pure fruit and spice. La Combe des Fous adds Mourvedre's dark olive, leather, and meaty depth. White Chateauneuf shows Grenache Blanc richness with peach, orange blossom, and mineral undertones. All wines share the appellation's characteristic warmth, glycerol texture, and intensity.

Portfolio

WineColourAvg PriceLots SoldTop Vintage
Deus ex MachinaRed$1923002016
Sanctus SanctorumRed$2782402016
La Combe des FousRed$1471892007
Vieilles VignesRed$491822007
BlancWhite$16192012

Top Auction Houses

spectrum

858 lots

klwines

97 lots

brentwood

23 lots

hdh

13 lots

zachys

7 lots

Clos Saint Jean is based in the Rhône Valley wine region.

Explore Rhône Valley auction data →

Find Live Clos Saint Jean Auctions

Search active lots from Sotheby's, Christie's, Acker and 6 more houses.

Search Clos Saint Jean wines →