Clos des Papes - Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rouge 2020
Price: $125.00
| Producer | Clos des Papes |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône |
| Subregion | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Varietal | Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, other varietals |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | 01291 |
| ABV | 14.50% |
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Clos des Papes is one of the great estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, named after one the property's walled vineyards (clos) that is in proximity to the pope’s castle. The family has been living in the village for centuries and were among the founders of the appellation for the village. It is currently run by winemaker Paul-Vincent Avril who has been at the helm since he completed wine school in Burgundy in the 1980’s. Since, Paul-Vincent has strived to make the best single example of the region, producing only one red wine and one white wine and being one of the few estates to use all permitted grapes for each. The property consists of forty hectares, three of which are planted to white varietals. The thirty separate parcels are farmed organically, harvests are performed manually and all parcels are vinified separately with native yeasts. Yields are kept extremely low, about one third to half of what the appellation allows. Their red wines are aged in large wooden foudres for 18 months; the whites are aged on their lees for 5 months with no malolactic fermentation.
The Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge is the quintessence of power, elegance and complexity. The wine emits brooding aromas of dark red and black fruit mixed with hints of potpourri, dried herbs and spice. The palate is full-bodied, yet ethereal with a dazzling melange of black cherry and cassis flavors intermingled with notes of Asian spice, black pepper and tea. The purity of fruit in this wine is astounding. Wonderfully structured, the silky, velvety tannins carry you through to a long, lively finish. The perfect wine to accompany herb-crusted rack of lamb with roasted carrots and aspargus risotto.
