Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape 2021

Winery Background and History:

Clos des Papes was founded in 1893 in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and covers 25 hectares across 24 parcels The estate is family owned and follows biodynamic practices deeply rooted in tradition Its red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the region’s most consistent and widely acclaimed wines, known for elegance, restraint, and longevity It is regularly included among benchmark expressions of the appellation

Producer and Wine Maker:

Under Paul-Vincent Avril the 2021 vintage was crafted from Grenache Mourvèdre and Syrah from Grand Cru-quality parcels Fermentation was conducted parcel by parcel in stainless steel and old oak casks Aging followed in large seasoned foudres before careful blending to balance power finesse and structure

Vineyards and Micro Climate:

Fruit comes from south-facing plots on galets roulés, clay and sandy soils affected by mistral winds These well-drained vineyards on the Châteauneuf plateau produce grapes with concentrated flavor and balanced acidity Warm sunny days and cool nights in 2021 helped preserve freshness despite a powerful aromatic profile typical of the estate

Vinification & Aging Methods:

Grapes were destemmed and fermented separately to preserve terroir distinctiveness Aging was carried out in large neutral oak foudres and vending barrels for around 18 months followed by additional blending and bottle aging to integrate tannins and ensure seamless structure

Tasting Notes:

Pours deep ruby with garnet rim Aromas of red currant cassis dried herbs and cracked pepper emerge over subtle floral notes The palate is full-bodied smooth and mineral-driven with fine-grained tannins and flavors of black cherry graphite leather and garrigue The finish is long and refined

Food & Wine Pairing:

Ideal with roast lamb venison with juniper or beef stew Rich charcuterie truffle risotto and aged hard cheeses also work well The wine’s tension and saline structure align beautifully with umami and savory richness

Service Methods and Temperatures:

Serve at 16 °C in large Bordeaux glasses to gather aromatics and soften tannins Decant for 1 hour to allow full aromatic expression and texture development

Storage and Aging Potential:

Cellar at 12–14 °C with moderate humidity to allow the wine to evolve through 2040 and beyond Over time expect tertiary notes of leather game earth dried fruit and savory spice while retaining freshness and structure

Grape Varietals & percentage used:

Grenache 58 % · Mourvèdre 32 % · Syrah 5 % · Others 5 %

ABV (Alcohol by Volume):

15 %

Scores:

Wine Spectator: 96 points 

Jeb Dunnuck Wine Advocate: 95 points