Clos des Papes, Chateauneuf du Pape 2017, 75cl (Slightly Stained Label)

Clos des Papes is one of the great estates of Châteauneuf du Pape, owned by the Avril family for generations and today run by Paul-Vincent Avril. Renowned for its traditional approach and exceptional consistency, the domaine produces just one red Châteauneuf du Pape, blending fruit from numerous parcels across the appellation's varied terroirs. The result is a wine celebrated for its combination of richness, elegance and remarkable ageing potential.

The 2017 is a superb example, produced in a warm, dry vintage that delivered concentrated fruit and impressive structure. A blend dominated by Grenache, with a significant proportion of Mourvèdre and Syrah, it offers layers of ripe black cherry, raspberry, liquorice, Provençal herbs and spice, supported by fine tannins and a long, savoury finish. Powerful yet beautifully balanced, it is beginning to develop complexity but has the concentration and freshness to age gracefully for many years.

"2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Clos des Papes unfurls from the glass with a brooding bouquet of tobacco leaf, licorice, dark fruits, plum and floral accents, with a subtle reductive thread woven throughout. Full-bodied, dense and structured, it's elegantly muscular, with a spice-driven complexity, a deeply layered core of dark fruit and a tannic frame of exceptional precision. It's a brooding, long-lived wine that will reward the patient. Drink 2029-2047."  97/100 The Wine Advocate