Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape 2015
(Southern Rhone, France) - [WS 98, #14 Top 100 of 2017] [WA 97] [DM 96] [JD 95] [VM 94-96]

About the winery:

The Avril family has been making wine at Clos de Papes since the 18th century. Paul-Vincent was trained at wine school in Dijon, as was his father. This training and philosophy in Burgundy is evident in their philosophy towards winemaking in Chateauneuf-du-Pape- the wines of the appellation are able to attain richness, power and age-ability, the Avril's also want to achieve finesse and balance. Today, the property has 32 hectares, of which 3 hectares are the white varieties. There are twenty four different parcels spread around the town which allows for the various terroirs playing a role in the expression of the wine. They practice strict selection of 50+ year old vines and have some of the lowest yields in the appellation. The Avril's also practice destemming, which they have been doing since 1991. The wine is vinified in ceramic-lined vats and spends a year in large, old foudres.

50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah and others

 

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points, Rank #14 of Top 100 of 2017 - Wine Spectator:
"This offers a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pate de fruit flavors that hold center stage but still allow notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this should cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040. 6,000 cases made." - JM (Nov 2017)

97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Bottled in May, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is a floral, elegant, unbelievably complex wine. Roses and violets, cherries and stone fruit, cinnamon and allspice and more are carried across the full-bodied yet almost weightless palate, finishing in a swirl of silky tannins and lingering spice. Drink it over the next two decades." - Joe Czerwinski (Oct 2017)

96 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"There's a touch of old Pinot Noir to the aroma, before a rich and voluptuous palate showing raspberry and strawberry fruit. Quite evolved already, the tannins are very fine and the finish gently warming. A lovely, complex and succulent wine, with no excesses. (Drink between 2020-2038)" - Matt Walls (Oct 2020)

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Tasted on three separate occasions, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Paul-Vincent is a classic, elegant, and incredibly complex style of wine reminiscent of a Grand Cru Red Burgundy (Chambolle-Musigny?). Black raspberries, blueberries, incense, pine resin, dried orange and exotic floral notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, ethereally textured 2015 that has moderate tannin, beautiful purity, and a seamless finish. I compared this to an improved 2005 last year when I tasted it from barrel, but I’m not sure that comparison holds today, and I struggle to come up with another similar vintage. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful wine that should be at its best from 2020-2030+." (Oct 2017)

94-96 Points - Vinous Media:
"Deep ruby. Hugely aromatic red and dark berry, potpourri and floral scents are underscored by smoky minerality and an exotic suggestion of Asian spices. Sappy, focused and impressively deep yet lively, offering alluringly sweet raspberry, cherry compote and spicecake flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of blood orange. Puts on weight and spreads out steadily with air, acquiring a succulent herb note that carries through the strikingly long, mineral-laced, gently tannic finish. This beauty is shaping up to be among the standouts of this extremely successful vintage." - Josh Raynolds (Nov 2017)