The Wine Advocate | RP 96-98
Published: May 5, 2022

Proprietor Paul-Vincent Avril expects to bottle 100,000 bottles of something approximating this "final blend," tasted out of foudre. A blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Mourv?dre and 10% Syrah and other permitted varieties, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape looked exceptional on this day, offering up scents of framboise and kirsch alongside dried flowers and Asian spices. Full-bodied yet weightless, silky and long, this is special stuff, complex and balanced. 

Jamessuckling.com | JS 95
Published: May 22, 2022

A fine and poised Chateauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of cassis, candied cherries, dried herbs, baking spices and black pepper. It's full-bodied with finely grained tannins. Velvety and layered with good concentration. It's elegant yet energetic and vibrant, with a flavorful, bright finish. Drink or hold.

Winemaker

Paul Avril (1873-1962) was one of the people behind the creation of the appellation. In 1896 he started to sell his wines with the name Clos des Papes. Regis Avril (1901-1987) delivered wines to two presidents of France General de Gaulle and Georges Pompidou. Paul Avril (1937-2009) started working at the domain 1963 at first together with his father and later for many years with his son. Paul-Vincent Avril (1965 - ) attended as a young man wine school in Bourgondy and when he went back to the domain in 1988 he had visions about finesse and elegance and he still considers these qualities as most importent for a high class wine.

Today the property covers 32 ha. 3 ha. is with white varieties. 24 different parcels are spread around the town. One parcel is nearby the pope's castle and has been surrounded by walls (clos). From here came the name of the domain. Since 2011 the vineyards are certified "agriculture biologique"

Only one cuvee of white (10% of the production) and of red Chateauneuf du Pape are made. Since 1991 destalking has been total and since 1987 the total production has been bottled at the domain. The secret behind the high quality is a low yield. In vintage 2007, 2008 and 2009 the yield has been 25, 17 and 19 hl/ha. The yield is minimized by green harvest and by repeated sorting of the grapes during harvest. Clos des Papes is not a place for experiments. The aim is constantly to make a wine of very high quality that meet the expectations from Paul Vincent Avril himself as well from his costumers around the world. It's a sign of quality to Avril if the wine is recognizable through the vintages. 80% of the production counting about 100.000 bottles is exported. It's not at all a problem for Avril to sell his wines even in times where the market suffers from crisis.

Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge
65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 5% others.
Aged in foudres for 12-15 months.

After the paucity of yield in 2018 (9hl ha), he no doubt breathed a huge sigh of relief at the end of the harvest. For 2019 had heavily compensated them with a highly qualitative and generous crop, at least by Clos de Papes standards, which means yields of 20-25 hl /ha. This has meant a return to a more typical Clos des Papes blend, favouring Grenache. 2019 is a powerful, incredibly silky and balanced vintage that seems destined for a long life. In Vincent?s opinion it is comparable to legendary vintages 2016 and 2010.