CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE - Clos des Papes 1996
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE - Clos des Papes 1996
The estate has 32 Ha (including 3 Ha of white) of vines very well distributed in the best areas (such as the 7 Ha located on the Crau); It has belonged to the AVRIL family for several generations, even if the original plot of the estate once belonged to the Château de Châteauneuf du Pape. µ
After the phylloxera, the Avril family developed the bottling of their wines at the start of the 20th century, and they worked greatly to create the AOC in 1936.
Nowadays, the grandson Paul-Vincent continues the tradition of the estate which produces only 2 cuvées of his wine (1 white and 1 red), without giving in to the fashionable effect of plot or luxury cuvées, and with the conviction that Clos des Papes wines must be fine and elegant, and made from a global blend of all the grape varieties and all the parcels of the estate (more than 20 parcels). Composed of almost 2/3 Grenache, the red blend also includes Mourvèdre, Syrah and Counoise. The wines produced here have a remarkable depth, accompanied by a velvety texture and a richness resulting from a successful maturity but not excessive. The aging potential for both red and white wines is excellent (15/20 years and over).
The Clos des Papes is the very type of the great Châteauneuf which ages slowly, but happily. The extraordinary enthusiasm that has now passed following this distinction, it should be noted, however, that over the last 20 vintages, Clos des Papes has not produced any poorly rated vintage, which attests to its regularity in producing bottles of excellence. The white Châteauneuf du Pape, particularly fine and balanced, is also excellent, even if it only represents 10% of the volume. Finally, the estate offers a red table wine with exquisite fruit, made from the youngest vines or sometimes downgraded. The young wines can sometimes present some rough tannins, it is preferable to wait for the wines before approaching them. The reputation of the domain having exceeded the borders of France, it is advisable to acquire the old vintages of the domain, which will delight lovers of this appellation.
