Clos des Papes 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape

The Estate

Clos des Papes — A Châteauneuf-du-Pape Icon

Founded in 1896, Clos des Papes has been guided by the Avril family for four generations, establishing itself as one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most revered estates. Paul-Vincent Avril, who took over from his father Paul in the 2000s, continues the family’s uncompromising commitment to quality, crafting wines that elegantly balance power with refinement. The domaine’s 32 hectares of vines are spread across thirteen distinct parcels within the appellation, each contributing unique character to their flagship red and acclaimed white wines.

Clos des Papes enjoys a reputation as a benchmark producer in the Southern Rhône, consistently earning critical acclaim for wines that showcase both the warmth of the Mediterranean climate and remarkable freshness. The estate’s traditional approach—long fermentations, minimal intervention, and judicious use of large oak foudres—produces Châteauneuf-du-Pape of extraordinary depth and longevity that rank among the appellation’s finest.

Terroir & Grapes

The Classic Thirteen-Grape Châteauneuf Assembly

Clos des Papes’ red Châteauneuf-du-Pape draws from thirteen parcels scattered across the appellation’s varied terroirs, from the famous galets roulés (large rounded stones) of La Crau to sandy and clay-limestone soils. This diversity allows the Avril family to craft a wine of remarkable complexity, blending the warmth and structure from stone-covered vineyards with the elegance and aromatics from cooler sites. The blend traditionally features all thirteen permitted grape varieties of the appellation, with Grenache forming the backbone, supported by substantial proportions of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and smaller percentages of Counoise, Vaccarèse, and other traditional varieties.

Vinification & Ageing

Traditional Methods, Timeless Quality

The Avril family adheres to time-honoured winemaking practices that honour both grape and terroir. Each parcel is vinified separately with natural yeasts in temperature-controlled concrete vats, undergoing extended maceration periods that can last up to four weeks to extract optimal colour, tannin, and aromatic complexity. The estate eschews destemming for most varieties, fermenting whole bunches to preserve freshness and add structural complexity.

Following fermentation, the wine is aged for approximately 18 to 24 months in large traditional foudres and older oak barrels, allowing the wine to develop depth and integration without overwhelming the pure fruit character. The various cuvées are carefully assembled before bottling, creating a harmonious blend that expresses the full spectrum of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s terroir. No fining or filtration is employed, ensuring maximum textural richness and authenticity.

Vintage Character

2019 — Radiant and Structured Perfection

The 2019 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is widely celebrated as one of the finest of the decade, combining ideal ripeness with remarkable freshness and structure. A warm, dry growing season with perfectly timed rainfall in late summer allowed for optimal phenolic maturity while preserving natural acidity, resulting in wines of magnificent balance and ageing potential. The vintage produced concentrated yet elegant wines with sumptuous fruit, fine-grained tannins, and exceptional aromatic purity—characteristics that play perfectly to Clos des Papes’ traditional style.

Tasting Notes

Depth, Elegance, Complexity

The 2019 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape reveals a deep ruby-garnet robe with purple highlights, immediately captivating with an aromatic bouquet of crushed blackberries, kirsch, and wild strawberries interlaced with garrigue herbs, lavender, cracked pepper, and subtle notes of liquorice and leather. On the palate, the wine displays magnificent concentration and structure, unfolding layers of dark cherry, plum, and cassis framed by silky yet firm tannins and vibrant acidity that brings remarkable freshness to the wine’s generosity. The finish is long and savoury, echoing mineral notes and Mediterranean herbs with remarkable persistence—a wine that beautifully balances power with refinement,典型 of this celebrated estate’s style.

Critics’ Scores

International Acclaim

The 2019 vintage has garnered exceptional praise from the world’s leading wine critics, confirming its status as one of the vintage’s finest expressions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Service & Pairing

Serving Recommendations