Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos des Papes - Paul Avril 1977

This family-run estate has been firmly established in local history since the 17th century, when the vineyard, then associated with the papal château, was cultivated by the ancestors of the Avril family. In 1896, Paul-Eugène Avril first marketed a wine under the name Clos des Papes, thereby establishing a tradition of meticulous winemaking and prestige that continues to this day. This estate was one of the pioneers of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Le Clos des Papes is now run by Paul-Vincent Avril, who perpetuates the family’s savoir-faire.
Certified for organic winegrowing for over 15 years, the estate covers 34 hectares, divided into more than 20 plots with varied terroirs (galets roulés or rolled pebbles, sand, clay and limestone), offering a highly complex range of aromas. This mosaic of soil types lends the wines a rare purity, structure and depth, which the Avril family brings to the fore.
Le Clos des Papes produces just two wines: a red Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a white, both made from the 13 grape varieties authorised by the appellation, with Grenache predominating in the red and a harmonious blend of six varieties in the white. Carefully controlled yields and hand-harvesting reflect an ongoing quest for balance and finesse. The Clos des Papes wines are the epitome of age-worthy wines, combining power, freshness and elegance, and appealing to discerning wine lovers and collectors from around the world.

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!