Clos des Papes 2018 Magnum Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Das Anwesen

Clos des Papes — Tradition & Excellence Since 1896

Founded in 1896, Clos des Papes has been in the Avril family for four generations and stands today as one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most revered estates. Paul-Vincent Avril, who took over from his father Paul in 2009, continues the family’s unwavering commitment to traditional viticulture and meticulous winemaking, producing wines that marry power with extraordinary finesse. The domaine’s 32 hectares are scattered across thirteen different parcels within the appellation, providing remarkable diversity of terroir.

Clos des Papes has earned a reputation as one of the most consistent producers in the southern Rhône, with critics and collectors alike recognising the estate’s ability to craft wines of exceptional longevity and complexity. The domaine’s traditional approach—whole cluster fermentation, extended maceration, and ageing in large oak foudres—yields Châteauneuf-du-Pape of remarkable balance and ageability that faithfully express the unique character of each vintage.

Dieses Los

Verfügbar als Magnum (1,5L) - ideal für Sammler und für die langfristige Lagerung im Keller.

Terroir & Trauben

A Mosaic of Châteauneuf’s Finest Parcels

The domaine’s vineyards are distributed across thirteen distinct parcels throughout Châteauneuf-du-Pape, encompassing the appellation’s diverse terroirs—from the iconic galets roulés (rounded pebbles) that retain heat and ensure optimal ripening, to limestone and sand that bring freshness and elegance. This remarkable diversity allows the Avril family to craft a wine of exceptional complexity, each parcel contributing its unique character to the final blend. The red wine is typically composed of thirteen permitted grape varieties, with Grenache forming the backbone, supported by Mourvèdre, Syrah, and smaller proportions of other traditional varieties.

Weinbereitung & Reifung

Time-Honoured Methods for Timeless Wines

The Avril family adheres to traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape practices with minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar. Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, with whole clusters fermented using indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled concrete tanks. Extended maceration lasting several weeks extracts colour, structure, and aromatic complexity while preserving the wine’s natural balance and elegance.

Following fermentation, the wine is aged for approximately two years in large old oak foudres, which allow gentle micro-oxygenation without imparting overt wood flavours. This patient élevage enables the wine to integrate its components harmoniously, developing the remarkable depth and refinement that has become the hallmark of Clos des Papes. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration to preserve its full expression.

Vintage-Charakter

2018 — Classical Elegance Meets Southern Power

The 2018 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is widely regarded as exceptional, combining the concentration and ripeness of a warm year with remarkable freshness and structure. A mild winter and spring gave way to a hot, dry summer that was tempered by cooler nights, allowing grapes to achieve full phenolic ripeness while retaining natural acidity. The result is wines of classical balance—powerful yet refined, with impressive depth and notable ageing potential.

At Clos des Papes, the 2018 showcases the vintage’s strengths brilliantly: concentrated dark fruit, silky tannins, and an elegance that sets it apart from more overtly opulent years. Critics have hailed 2018 as one of the finest recent vintages in the southern Rhône, and this wine confirms that assessment with its remarkable harmony and complexity.

Verkostungsnotizen

Profound Complexity in Magnum Format

The 2018 Clos des Papes reveals a deep ruby colour with garnet reflections, opening to an extraordinarily complex bouquet of black cherry, crushed blackberry, and wild raspberry interwoven with garrigue herbs—thyme, rosemary, and lavender—along with notes of black olive, cracked pepper, and subtle earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine displays magnificent concentration and depth, with layers of dark fruit, Mediterranean spice, and savoury complexity supported by fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long and refined, echoing the wine’s core flavours with remarkable persistence. Presented in magnum format, this wine benefits from the slower, more graceful evolution that larger bottles provide, promising even greater complexity with extended cellaring.

Bewertungen der Kritiker

Outstanding International Recognition

The 2018 vintage at Clos des Papes has received extraordinary acclaim from the world’s most respected wine critics, with scores consistently in the mid-to-upper 90s. These accolades confirm the exceptional quality of this vintage and the domaine’s position among Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s elite producers.

Service & Paarung

Serving This Noble Rhône