One of the estate’s with a richest history in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes has been considered one the appellation’s top estate’s since its beginnings in the early 18th century. There is a sign on a ruin wall of the château citing the Avril as the first treasurers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1710!
Who owns the house with the address of #1 in town?..The Avril family. Vincent Avril took over for his father, Paul, in 1988 after completing oenology school in Beaune. Vincent is a Rhône-man in his head but a Burgundy-man in his heart. This explains why the wines that Vincent has produced seem to age like great Burgundies. The Avrils have resisted the trend of producing multiple cuvées simply because they believe that all of the wines would su!er because the best fruit is being divided. To this day, Clos des Papes produces one red and one white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and that’s it. This kind of loyalty to the terroir has solidified this estate’s reputation as the epitome of class in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
- 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% 10 other varieties
- The grapes are co-fermented in concrete tank. The following spring, the wine is transferred to 3 to 40 year old Foudres for 15 month. Everything is blended into tank to set up a single bottling creating homogeny between the whole vintage’s production
If you are seeking traditional Châteauneuf at its finest, there is no need to look further. All 13 varietals are used, classic aging in concrete tank and 2000 Liter Foudres, and the utmost care is taken in the vineyards. On top of that, Vincent only makes two Châteauneufs; one white and one red. He has never been interested in crafting special cuvées, as it would take fruit away from the appellation wines and diminish their quality.
Yields are kept very low, frequently about a half or a third of what the appellation permits. These wines are very limited and always in high demand.
TASTING NOTES:
The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape is showing beautifully, with the sun-kissed style of the vintage yet more depth and density than most in the vintage. Blackberries, Provençal garrigue, spice, and saddle leather all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with the classic elegance of the estate in its medium to full-bodied, layered, multi-dimensional style. It's one of the wines of the vintage and will have two decades of longevity.