Learn everything about Clos Saint Michel Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairings, best vintages, a history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and winemakers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles
Clos Saint Michel History, Overview
Clos Saint Michel has been managed by its current owners, the Mousset family since the 1950s. The original farmhouse on the property predates the family ownership by several decades. In addition, the Mousset family, headed by Frank Mousset and Olivier Mousset also own Domaine des Saumades.
While the Mousset family has managed Clos Saint Michel for more than 6 decades, they have been active in the Southern Rhone as winemakers for longer than that. Olivier Mousset and Franck Mousset represent the 4th generation in their family to make and produce wine at Clos Saint Michel.
Clos Saint Michel Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking
Clos Saint Michel owns 14 hectares of vines in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as vineyards in Cotes du Rhone. While the Chateauneuf du Pape wines are sold as Clos Saint Jean, the wines from the Cotes du Rhone are produced under the family name, Domaine Guy Mousset.
Of the estates 14 hectares of vineyards in Chateauneuf du Pape, 12.6 hectares are used to produce red wine. The remaining 1.4 hectares are for the growing of white wine grapes.
The best vintages of Clos Saint Michel are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005 and 2001.
In total, at the moment, Clos Saint Michel produces 4 red wines and 1 white wine from Chateauneuf du Pape as well as wine from Cotes du Rhone.
Clos Saint Michel Tradition is made from 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre. The terroir is pure rocks and stones. The vines are planted in the Les Coulets vineyard. The wine is aged for 12 months in vats. Close to 3,500 cases are produced each vintage.
Clos Saint Michel Cuvee Reserve is from vines more than 50 years of age. The blend is usually 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 30% Mourvedre.
The terroir is pure rocks and stones. The vines are planted in the les Coulets lieu-dit. The wine is aged in used French oak barrels for up to 24 months, depending on the character and quality of the vintage.
Clos Saint Michel Homage To Heritage is the newest addition to their portfolio. The wine, which is made from a probably unique blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Grenache Gris, has a unique style. The wine is aged entirely in concrete vats. The first vintage produced was produced from the 2013 vintage.
Clos Saint Michel Grand Clos Grand Reserve is produced using only 100%, old vine Mourvedre. The wine is aged in a good portion of new, French oak barrels. Not much of this beauty is produced. On average, slightly more than 800 cases are made in a good vintage. The wine is not produced every year. In fact, until recently, the wine was not produced since 2004. However, the wine was most recently produced in 2020.
Clos Saint Michel Coteau Brule is the newest wine from the property, focusing on Syrah. The wine is made from a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache.
Clos Saint Michel Le Grand Vin is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. The terroir is clay, limestone, and rocks. The wine is aged for an average of 12 months in French oak barrels before bottling. The production is limited to roughly 450 cases of wine per vintage.
Clos Saint Michel Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a blend of 30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 20% Roussanne and 20% Bourboulenc. The wine is aged in a combination of stainless tanks and French oak barrels.
When to Drink Clos Saint Michel, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Clos Saint Michel can be enjoyed young with decanting of about 1 – 2 hours, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Clos Saint Michel is usually better with 3-5 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages, the wine should be consumed within 8-20 years after the vintage.
Serving Clos Saint Michel with Wine, Food Pairing Tips
Clos Saint Michel is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.
Clos Saint Michel is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed dishes, sausage, barbecue, and cassoulet. Clos Saint Michel is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms pasta, eggplant, tomatoes, and cheese.
The white wine of Clos Saint Michel is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork, and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.
Clos Saint-Michel Wine Tasting Notes
18 Vintages 49,517 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2018
Clos Saint-Michel Homage To Heritage (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
My first time with this wine which shows off its floral sense easily. The wine is medium-bodied, bright, fresh lusciously textured. On the palate, the wine is filled with fresh, juicy red fruits with a sweetness that resonates in the finish. 1,066 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2020 |
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2018
Clos Saint-Michel Cuvée Réservée (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Smoky, mineral driven, herbal and packed with spicy red fruits, lush textures and thyme, this is already showing well. The blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah really works well this year. 1,958 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2020 |
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2018
Clos Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Fleshy, spicy and rich with ample licorice, kirsch and earthy nuances to keep any taster busy. The wine is round, supple and peppery in the fruit filled finish. The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. 2,264 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2020 |
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2017
Clos Saint-Michel Cuvée Réservée (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Rich, opulently textured, ripe, spicy, fresh cherries, kirsch, licorice and herbs hit you and stay with you from start to finish in the perfume and on the palate. The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. 1,962 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
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2017
Clos Saint-Michel Grand Vin (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Juicy, deep, sweet, lush and long, the dark red fruits, herbs and spice linger long after the wine has gone where it is supposed to be. The wine is made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. 1,948 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
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2017
Clos Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Supple, round and fruity, with loads of sweet, fresh, cherry, plum, smoke, fennel and peppery black raspberry fruits from start to finish. The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. 3,369 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
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2016
Clos Saint-Michel Cuvée Réservée (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
It is impossible not to see, taste and feel the richness, depth, sweetness and purity of the fruit here. Lush in texture, long and with depth of flavor, give this some time in the cellar to further round out, soften and add more nuance. The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. 3,976 Views Tasted Sep 18, 2018 |
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2016
Clos Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Deep in color and fruit, the wine is round, supple and fresh, The tannins have a hint of salt, the fruit comes with added nuances of black cherries, thyme and pepper with a backing note of smoke. The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. 2,775 Views Tasted Sep 18, 2018 |
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2015
Clos Saint-Michel Cuvée Réservée (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Spicy, with a layer of black raspberry, dark cherry, licorice and plum, the wine has real weight, density, spice and length. Plush and fat, the fruit sticks to your palate, and that's a good thing! The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. 2,315 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
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2015
Clos Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
There is depth of flavor, loads of sweet, ripe, dark cherries, thyme and a smoky character here. Round and supple, with ample fruit in the finish, this is quite nice. The wine is a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. 2,708 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
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2013
Clos Saint-Michel Cuvée Réservée (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Spicy, black raspberry and pepper, with a forward, medium bodied, open, peppery, black raspberry quality in the soft, and spicy finish. The wine was produced from a 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre. 2,413 Views Tasted Sep 7, 2015 |
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2013
Clos Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Black cherry and thyme in the nose, with silky tannins and a forward, kirsch filled finish. The wine was made using a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre. 1,828 Views Tasted Sep 7, 2015 |
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2012
Clos Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Silky and lush, with loads of sweet ripe, earthy, chocolate covered cherries, the wine is plush and polished. The wine was made from a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. 2,960 Views Tasted Sep 10, 2014 |
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2012
Clos Saint-Michel Cuvée Réservée (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Soft red fruits, medium bodied, forward and approachable. 2,140 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2014 |
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2011
Clos Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Silky, soft, spicy red fruits, earth and pepper start things off before your hit with a blast of spicy red cherries with hints of bright strawberries in the finish. 1,390 Views Tasted Aug 19, 2014 |
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2010
Clos Saint-Michel Grand Vin (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Powerful, decadent, rich, fat and intense, the wine is palate coating with its layers of sweet, fleshy, jammy berries and intensity. 4,832 Views Tasted May 31, 2013 |
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2010
Clos Saint-Michel Cuvée Réservée (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Fat, juicy, black raspberries, licorice, garrigue and lush textures are found in this open, forward wine. 3,480 Views Tasted May 31, 2013 |
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2009
Clos Saint-Michel Cuvée Réservée (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Delicious, sweet, ripe, lush, juicy fruits, round textures and a lusty finish. 4,282 Views Tasted Dec 3, 2014 |
