Magnum Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2022 Clos des Papes | Rhône

For generations, Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape red has embodied a demanding vision of a legendary terroir. In the heart of this historic village, the Avril family has been managing a vineyard for generations, divided into some twenty parcels spread over the entire appellation, covering a wide variety of soils and exposures, all of which are cultivated using organic methods. Here, rounded pebbles, sand and sandstone interact with a mosaic of grape varieties, dominated by Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, complemented by rarer varieties such as Counoise, Vaccarèse and Muscardin. Following in his father's footsteps, Paul Vincent Avril brings his own personal touch to the wine estate, with an increasingly refined approach to his Châteauneuf du Pape red cuvées from an early age. Le Clos des Papes thus cultivates a style of depth and elegance, favoring traditional, spontaneous winemaking, without excessive extraction, and prolonged ageing in old tuns, banishing new wood to preserve the balance of the blend and the pure expression of Châteauneuf du Pape terroirs.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: Clos des Papes red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the most accomplished cuvées in the southern Rhône Valley. Its greatness lies not only in its power, but in its ability to stand the test of time with impressive regularity. Each vintage reveals a subtle balance between generosity and freshness, supported by a concentrated, always legible body. The wine is seductive in its youth after long decanting, but comes into its own after ten years or so, reaching the height of complexity after twenty years.

On the nose, the aromatic power gradually develops on notes of black fruits, a spicy hint of black pepper and green curry, followed by animal and blood notes with good oxygenation. This intense, powerful palette will open up all the better after 3 to 4 hours' decanting when young.

On the palate, the attack is powerful, as are the tannins. This wine is full of energy. It's both bright and fresh. The complex aromatic structure hints at phenomenal potential, requiring only a few years of cellaring to express its full character!