Clos des Papes 2022

The Estate

Clos des Papes — The Crown Jewel of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Founded in 1896 by the Avril family, Clos des Papes has been helmed by Paul-Vincent Avril since 2009, continuing a century-long tradition of uncompromising excellence in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France. The domaine’s 32 hectares are scattered across thirteen parcels in the appellation’s finest terroirs, producing wines of extraordinary depth, elegance, and longevity that consistently rank among the region’s very finest.

Under Paul Avril’s guidance for decades, and now his son’s meticulous stewardship, Clos des Papes has earned global recognition as a benchmark producer, crafting wines that marry traditional Rhône power with remarkable finesse and purity. The estate’s flagship red is coveted by collectors worldwide for its ability to age gracefully for decades while offering profound pleasure in youth.

Terroir & Grapes

A Masterful Blend from Thirteen Parcels

The Clos des Papes red draws from thirteen distinct parcels across Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most celebrated terroirs, including La Crau’s famed galets roulés (round river stones), sand, clay, and limestone soils. This diversity of terroir allows the Avril family to craft a wine of remarkable complexity, where each parcel contributes its unique character to the final assemblage. The vines average 45 to 50 years of age, with some plots exceeding 70 years, yielding concentrated fruit of extraordinary quality.

Vinification & Ageing

Traditional Methods, Impeccable Precision

Clos des Papes practices rigorous organic viticulture with severely limited yields, typically harvesting late to achieve optimal phenolic ripeness while preserving natural acidity. Each parcel is vinified separately in temperature-controlled concrete tanks, with gentle pigeage and remontage to extract colour and structure without harshness. The estate eschews destemming entirely, fermenting whole clusters to enhance aromatic complexity and textural refinement.

After vinification, the wine is aged for 18 to 24 months in large oak foudres and demi-muids, which impart subtle integration without overwhelming the fruit’s purity. The final blend is assembled after careful tasting of each parcel, then bottled without fining or filtration to preserve maximum depth and character.

Vintage Character

The 2022 Vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The 2022 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape produced wines of remarkable freshness and energy, following a growing season marked by early heat spells tempered by crucial late-summer rainfall that preserved natural acidity. The wines display vibrant fruit purity, fine-grained tannins, and exceptional balance — a classic vintage that combines immediate charm with serious ageing potential. Clos des Papes excelled in this vintage, capturing the year’s freshness while maintaining the domaine’s signature depth and structure.

Tasting Notes

Power Meets Elegance

The Clos des Papes 2022 opens with captivating aromas of crushed red berries, kirsch, violet, and garrigue herbs, layered with hints of black pepper, liquorice, and subtle earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine reveals exceptional balance between concentrated dark fruit and vibrant freshness, with silky tannins, precise structure, and a long, pure finish marked by notes of wild strawberry and Mediterranean spice. This is a wine of great refinement and energy, showcasing the estate’s mastery in capturing both power and elegance in a single bottle.

Service & Pairing

At the Table

This refined Châteauneuf-du-Pape pairs magnificently with roasted game birds, slow-braised lamb shoulder with herbs de Provence, aged Gruyère or Comté, or a classic daube Provençale. The wine’s balance of power and elegance also makes it a splendid companion to grilled côte de bœuf with wild mushrooms, duck confit, or hearty winter stews. For a vegetarian pairing, consider roasted aubergine with tapenade or truffle-laced risotto.

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