2015 Sanctus Sanctorum Magnum Clos Saint-Jean

Parker/Joe Czerwnski - 97

The pure Grenache 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum was matured in a combination of clay amphorae and new demi-muids. It's an enormous yet fruit-driven wine, endowed with masses of raspberries and stone fruit yet featuring complexity in the form of dried spices, like cinnamon, clove and allspice. Creamy and intense, it's a roller coaster ride of exuberance, yet it's ultimately elegant as it glides into a nearly never-ending finish. The only thing that kept me from going higher was the slight bit of warmth on the finish, which I think limits the wine's aging potential.