Subject: Iconic 98pt Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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"... Clos des Papes is one of the reference point estates for traditional, ageworthy Châteauneuf-du-Pape."
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
"I can't recall a single instance of tasting a Clos des Papes falling short of expectations."
Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous.com
Clos des Papes is one of the most sought-after wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Paul-Vincent Avril's Clos des Papes produces only two wines: one red and one white. No 'special' cuvée is produced, as he feels the traditional blend is the best possible representation of the appellation; the estate farms some 30 distinct parcels, yet Vincent Avril maintains that each one plays a critical role in the final assemblage. All of the appellation's permitted grape varieties are grown in the vineyards, but Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah are the most prominent. All fruit is hand-harvested and, since 1990, destemmed. The harvest is separated and vinified by parcel, but varieties are farmed and cofermented together. The red wine is aged in large oak foudres.

Clos des Papes's two wines are among the finest - and most ageable - examples of the appellation.
"One of only a few major estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape to continue making single cuvées of red and white, Clos des Papes is a marvel ..."
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
CLOS DES PAPES →
CLOS DES PAPES
CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020
55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and 5% other permitted varieties (especially Counoise, Vaccarèse, and Muscardin)
"'A very Clos des Papes vintage,' says Vincent Avril, and I know what he means - a vintage that naturally delivers the kind of fresh, elegant wines that this estate is famous for. A tasting of several foudres point to a wine with natural, easy balance. The Mourvèdre is excellent here this year and adds great depth to the fresh and delightful Grenache that has notes of black tea, black cherry and iron. Elegant and very fine."
98
Matt Walls, Decanter Magazine
"Flowers are the first thing you notice before discovering all the spice, cloves, kirsch, and dark cherries on the nose. On the palate, the wine is silky, elegant, fresh, supple, and refined. The kirsch shows a beautiful purity and spicy character, along with its refined tannins and peppery strawberries that kick in at the end of the finish …. The production is quite low this year at only 25 hectoliters per hectare."
98
Jeff Leve, TheWineCellarInsider.com
"... The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape looked exceptional on this day, offering up scents of framboise and kirsch alongside dried flowers and Asian spices. Full-bodied yet weightless, silky and long, this is special stuff, complex and balanced."
96-98
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocatea



“Paul-Vincent Avril - who likes to be called Vincent to avoid confusion with his father Paul - is in his 36th vintage at Clos des Papes. After studying for five years at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune, Avril expanded his winemaking skills by working at several wineries, among them Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux, Domaine Ott in Bandol, and Mount Mary Vineyard in Australia’s Yarra Valley. When Avril joined Clos des Papes in 1987, he convinced his father to replace the vertical press with a pneumatic press. According to Avril, this technology brought various benefits, including the ability to program and adjust the pressure applied as per the required level of extraction. Avril can set the machine to exert lighter or greater pressure for less or more extraction. Most importantly, though, it helps avoid the over-extraction of tannins and bitterness from softened skins and seeds that may have been soaking in the must for several weeks.

Historically, Avril has worked with average yields of 20hL/ha, which is considerably lower than most of his peers as well as the 35hL/ha maximum limit set by the AOC .... Avril has recently replanted 0.5 hectares of Grenache with Cinsault, a variety seeing increased interest over the past years in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Cinsault can balance out the ripe fruit aromas of Grenache and contributes a lower alcohol content, adding freshness to the final blend.

I can't recall a single instance of tasting a Clos des Papes falling short of expectations. Even in the face of more challenging vintages such as 1997, 2002 or 2008, when other producers fell behind, Clos des Papes consistently delivered. What impresses me most is that they maintain this level of quality with just two offerings, just a red and white, without relying on any extravagant cuvées. Essentially, Clos des Papes wines are expressive and savory, exhibiting aromatic complexity, firm structure and ample depth.”
Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous.com
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