Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016

Jeb Dunnuck
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!

Robert Parker
The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is full-bodied but balanced, with plenty of richness and concentration but also a certain paradoxical lightness. It offers complex garrigue and anise notes, a blend of cherry and raspberry fruit, a silky texture and a long finish that shows no sign of the wine's 15.8% alcohol. For technocrats, the wine's pH is 3.7, which is sufficient acidity to maintain a fine sense of balance. This lovely wine should drink well for at least two decades. Together with the 2015 and the 2017, it will be a compelling trio of wines to follow over the years.

Clos des Papes er en af de helt store producenter i Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Huset solgte allerede i 1896 vin under egen etiket, og den daværende ejer, Paul Avril, var meget aktiv i skabelsen af appellationen. I dag er det barnebarnet Paul-Vincent Avril som står bag deres vine, og det er gået ganske godt.

Clos des Papes kan typisk nydes ved frigivelsen, men ønsker man den perfekte balance bør man vente 5-8 år. Udbyttet holdes omkring 12-15 Hl/Ha, og vinifikationen er meget traditionel. Paul-Vincent er ikke tilhænger af brug af ny eg, så lagringen foregår på store gamle foudres (store træfade) og i cementtanke. Der produceres kun én rød Chateauneuf, og snakken om prestige-cuvèer er overflødig når der laver vin af så høj klasse som hos Clos des Papes. Vingården har praktiseret biodynamisk og økologisk produktion i snart 20 år og har siden 2011 været økologicertificeret ("Agriculture biologique").

Robert Parker har følgende ord omkring Clos des Papes: ”Clos des Pape is one of the reference point estates for traditional, age-worthy Châteauneuf du Pape.”