In contrast to the bigger, richer Deus-Ex Machina, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous is all about finesse and elegance, probably due to the inclusion of Cinsault and Vaccarese in the blend. Deeper ruby/purple-hued, it has an exotic perfume of both red and blue fruits, smoked game, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Slightly darker fruited than past vintages were at this stage, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has gorgeous tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and a great finish. This beauty already offers incredible pleasure yet will evolve gracefully over the coming 15-20 years. The blend is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Vaccarese and Cinsault, brought up mostly tank.

Pumps out heady raspberry, mulberry and blackberry compote notes that keep form and direction, thanks to a roasted apple wood spine and flanking ganache, garrigue and warm earth notes. Seriously grippy finish. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vaccarèse. Best from 2025 through 2040. 500 cases made, 43 cases imported.

(94+ points) The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous is an assemblage of 60% Grenache (planted in 1905 on sandy soils and typically raised in concrete), 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Vaccarese (these are normally matured in oak). In 2020, this comes across as slightly smoky on the nose, with plenty of black raspberry fruit but not as much nuance as this cuvée often exhibits. It's full-bodied and softly tannic, with a mouthfeel that's deceptively airy and a long, lingering finish, so perhaps the bouquet was just going through an awkward phase. - Joe Czerwinski

The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsaut and Vaccarèse. The 2020 La Combe des Fous offers up intense aromas of cooked red and black fruits, cloves, licorice, dried herbs and black olive tapenade. Solid tannic structure frames this concentrated, full-bodied powerhouse, balanced by bright acidity. It concludes with excellent freshness on the savory finish. -- Nicolas Greinacher