Paul Avril’s estate Clos du Papes is Rhône royalty and the wines produced here have a unique elegance and piercing aromatic expression that earns them a legendary reputation. Production is modern but eschews the use of new oak or filtering of any kind and, perhaps most importantly no super priced super cuvées – all the best fruit and wine making energy goes into creating the single sublime wine that has been produced here for over a century.

Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge [x] 2020
14.5% abv
‘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.
‘I last reported on the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape prior to bottling, so let me update readers here. It’s a terrific, red-fruited version of Clos des Papes, with raspberry and cherry notes accented by hints of black olive and allspice. Full-bodied, taut and firmly structured, with a long, concentrated finish, this is a vintage that should reward cellaring.’ Joe Czerwinski, WA, Sep 2023, 96+
Drink 2023 – 2042
Matt Walls, Decanter.com (Oct 2021) 98/100
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2020 | Chateauneuf du Pape | Clos des Papes | Counoise | Duty Paid | Europe | France | Grenache (Garnacha/Cannonau) | Mourvedre (Mataro / Monastrell) | Muscardin | Red | Rhone | Shiraz / Syrah | Still | Vaccarese | Wine- Reference #:
- 16068
- Strength
- 14.5 ABV
- Bottles per Case
- 1 bottles
- Grapes
- Counoise, Grenache (Garnacha/Cannonau), Mourvedre (Mataro / Monastrell), Muscardin, Shiraz / Syrah, Vaccarese
- Organic
- Yes
- Biodynamic
- No
- Vegan
- No
- Vegetarian
- No
- Sparkling
- No