2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina
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Tasting notes
Lastly, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina shows a similar profile to the Combes des Fous, yet it brings another level of tannins and concentration. Kirsch liqueur, white flowers, sandalwood, cured meats, and graphite notes all shine here, and it's full-bodied, has a deep, layered, powerful, yet weightless profile, lots of ripe tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. This ripe, sexy, seamless, incredibly impressive beauty will compete with anything in the vintage. As usual, this cuvée is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, which is brought up in roughly 40% new demi-muids. Due to the devastating storm before the 2022 harvest that decimated large portions of the La Crau lieu-dit, production for both the Combes de Fous and Deus-Ex Machina are down by 50%. In addition, the production on the estate’s Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is down dramatically as well. Aside from that, this estate is still firing on all cylinders, and both their 2022s and 2023s are everything you would expect from this talented team.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Powerful and nuanced, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina unwinds with prominent black cherry compote, melted licorice, crème de cassis, black tea and clove. Anchored by a firm tannic core, the full-bodied 2022 is a bold and ambitious Deus Ex Machina, closing with utter persistence on the refined finale. As usual, this is one for the hedonists.
The 2022 is an ambitious Deus Ex Machina and likely to rank among the finest renditions of this cuvée ever made. Dark, brooding and vertical, the 2022 opens with pronounced crème de cassis, melted licorice, ripe strawberry and black cherry aromas. Black tea and crushed violets add more layers. Full-bodied and deeply concentrated, the flamboyant 2022 carries outstanding inner energy and closes with persistence on the focused finish. Bravo!