The biggest surprise – who makes this wine? It is a partnership between Clos Saint-Jean’s Maurel brothers, Vincent and Pascal, the famed oenologist Philippe Cambie, and none other than California’s reclusive genius from Ojai, Manfred Krankl. The debut vintage, the 2010 boasts an inky/blue/purple color, stunningly pure blueberry fruit intermixed with licorice, graphite, crushed rock and spring flower characteristics, full body and sweet, well-integrated tannins. Only four 300-liter barrels were made, so availability will be scarce. It will require 5-6 years of cellaring and should last for 25+ years.
