Vin de France Le Petit vin d'Avril Paul Avril ----

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.

Clos des Papes certainly excels in the art of making Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but is also a talented producer of simpler cuvées such as Le Petit Vin d'Avril. This deliciously juicy and fleshy wine is at its best in its early youth, and paired with full-flavoured foods. An excellent introduction to the property's expertise.