Clos des Papes - Châteauneuf du Pape - Rouge 2013
Clos des Papes is located in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, in the Rhône Valley. The family estate was created by Paul Avril and has been managed by his son Paul-Vincent Avril since 2009. The vineyard consists of 24 small plots spread over 32 hectares. The 13 varietals authorised for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation are cultivated in this vineyard, but Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah are in the majority. Paul Avril produces two Clos des Papes cuvées: a red and a white. The estate is certified in organic farming.
Clos des Papes Rouge is a blend of Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (20%), Syrah (10%) and 5% of the other grape varietiesallowed for the appellation. Le Clos des Papes Rouge represents 90% of the estate's total production. After a careful selection of the grapes, the fruit is destemmed and then put in vat for a month. The winemaking is classic, with two daily pumping over. The wine is aged in barrels of 20 to 55 hectoliters for a year.
The 2013 vintage produced low yields and atypical balances where the fruit outweighs the strenght.
Grape varieties: 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% other grape varieties