The historic Clos des Papes, just next to the papal castle, has been managed by the Avril family for many years. Paul Avril earned the domain its illustrious reputation and today his son Paul-Vincent continues the work but with the modern touch typical of the new generation of winegrowers. The 32-hectare vineyard is scattered across 24 plots on diverse micro-terroirs within the appellation. The poorer, pebbly soils are planted to Syrah while Mourvèdre is cultivated on the more clay-rich soils. The property has been certified organic for more than 10 years. Yields have been reduced to produce less than 20 hectolitres per hectare, making for deeply concentrated wines. Clos des Papes' whole identity is based on tradition and elegance.

As is traditional for a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this cuvée is a blend of several grape varieties. The majority Grenache is completed with Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise, Muscardin and Vaccarèse. They are all planted in the appellation’s famous pebbled terroir. They have the advantage of accumulating heat during the day before nourishing the vine with it when night falls. The grapes are harvested by hand with a selective sorting process in both the vineyard and the winery so as to choose only the ripest fruit. After fermentation, the wine is matured in used casks for around 15 months. A charming cuvée, this Châteauneuf has an intense, crimson colour in its youth that leans towards tile-red as it ages. Its nose is an explosion of red fruits and spices from the myriad grape varieties it contains. On the palate, we find all the finesse of the appellation and the style we’ve come to expect from Clos des Papes. The tannins are silky and the fruit perfectly ripe. The wine has an unforgettably supple texture. In terms of food pairings, we concur with the domain who recommend roasted dishes. It can be aged for several decades in the cellar, and is bound to reveal a nice surprise!