Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021

Product Information:
As anticipated, Vincent Avril has released another stunner. Jeb Dunnuck praises it as "One of the standouts in the vintage." The 2021 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape seduces with smoky incense, rooibos tea, and floral notes, followed by a medley of cassis, licorice, and red currant flavours. Fine graphite tannins extend the finish beautifully.

Spring frosts on 8th April reduced the crop by about 40%, with the Syrah being the most affected. As a result, the blend this year is slightly different: 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, with a splash of other varieties. The wine is 100% destemmed and naturally fermented with wild yeast over several weeks, then matured in large oak casks for 12-15 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Maker:
Clos des Papes is one of the most renowned estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a history of producing remarkable wines under the guidance of Paul-Vincent Avril. The estate has been bottling its own wine since 1896 and is celebrated for its authentic, long-lived expressions of the appellation. Covering approximately 80 acres, Clos des Papes includes 24 plots, each boasting some of the finest terroir in Châteauneuf. The geographical diversity of the vineyards allows for optimal ripeness at harvest and the flexibility to combine different grape varieties, producing both red and white wines designed for aging. Yields are kept low at 28 hl/hectare, and the grapes undergo strict sorting to ensure the highest quality.

The Vineyard:
Clos des Papes’ vineyards are scattered around Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with plots in areas such as La Crau and near the old Château, as well as to the north and south of the village. In total, the estate comprises over 30 parcels of vines. Small plots of vines just outside the appellation are used to produce Petit vin d’Avril in very limited quantities.

Nose - Incense, Cassis, Truffles
Smoked incense and red tea, with floral high notes, followed by a well of cassis, licorice and red currant flavours coated in graphite.

Palate - Concentrated, Provençal spice, Silky Tannins
A beautiful array of black cherry and darker berry fruits, ample Provençal spice, and dried flower nuances.

Finish - Iron, Pomegranate, Dried Herbs
Framed by silky tannins and finishing with bright, pomegranate-like fruit.

Elegant and approachable, this stunning red offers seductive aromatics of smoked incense and red tea, with floral high notes, followed by a well of cassis, liquorice and red currant flavours coated in graphite. Dusty in feel, with fine-grained tannins bringing structure and textural complexity, while an iron element lingers on the very long finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2035. - Wine Spectator, January 2024, 96 Points.

Cherries, raspberries and truffles appear on the nose of the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape, which weighs in at 15.1% alcohol. Showing ample concentration and length, this medium to full-bodied effort isn't quite as well endowed as the 2022, but it's still a gorgeous wine, framed by silky tannins and finishing with bright, pomegranate-like fruit. - The Wine Advocate, September 2023, 95 points.

One of the standouts in the vintage is the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape, a ripe, round, medium to full-bodied 2021 offering a beautiful array of black cherry and darker berry fruits, ample Provençal spice, and dried flower nuances. Wonderfully textured and balanced, with ripe tannins, as usual, Vincent has made one of the wines of the vintage. This will evolve gracefully for 15+ years. - Jeb Dunnuck, October 2023, 95 points.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - 55% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah
Country - France
Region - Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 15%