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clos-des-papes

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Clos des Papes

Overview

Clos des Papes is a gold-standard 34-hectare estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, run by Vincent Avril. Uniquely, the domaine produces just one red and one white, so good blending is crucial. Yields are always very low — not much more than 20 hl/ha — which serves to concentrate the red wine. There is an above-average emphasis on Mourvedre, all planted in clay soils.

Appellations

Key Wines

  • Chateauneuf-du-Pape Clos des Papes red — the sole red; current blend approximately 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 5% various including white grapes (previously 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre into the early 2010s)
  • Chateauneuf-du-Pape Clos des Papes white — drinks well in the first couple of years, then closes down, emerging as more complex and stimulating around 7 years old; Vincent likes to drink them around 15 years old
  • Vin de France Le Petit vin d’Avril red — second label
  • Vin de France Le Petit vin d’Avril white — second label

Style Notes

Elegance underpins all the vintages except the most solar. Even the 2003 has become a wine of poise and refinement over the years. Vintage style is strongly respected from one year to the next.

Outstanding recent vintages (JLL):

  • The six-star 2016 red is “enormously, majestically deep and long” — will age extremely well. JLL ties it with 2019, 2010, and 1990 as the grandiose years from Clos des Papes in the past 35 years.
  • The 2015 is a bolder, more demanding wine requiring patience.
  • The 2014 was “utterly charming, a real en finesse beauty.”
  • The 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 whites were all STGT, “classic examples of slow-burn wines that will age majestically.”

Key Wines & Vintage Notes (JLL / drinkRhone.com)

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Clos des Papes red

The sole red: ~55% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 5% various. Very low yields (~20 hl/ha). JLL’s notes cover decades of vintages, with the most recent below.

JLL has extensive notes going back to the 1970s. The red’s track record is remarkably consistent, with the 2016 and 2019 earning the highest marks.

  • Recent highlights from the extensive tasting record confirm the profile already noted: the six-star 2016 and the outstanding 2019, 2010, and 1990 are the grandiose vintages.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Clos des Papes white

Vincent likes to drink them around 15 years old. Slow-burn wines that close down after the first couple of years.

  • Confirmed STGT ratings for 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 whites per the producer profile notes already on this page.

Vin de France Le Petit vin d’Avril red

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan (removed 2012), plus Marselan and Caladoc. 67% current vintage in vat, 33% previous vintage aged 12 months in large barrel. 6,500-17,000 bottles.

  • NV (2024 mainly) — “Delivers fluidly, mixed red fruits, herbal touches, powder tannins. Good filling, rather fresh delivery.” 14 degrees. Drink 2034-35.
  • NV (2015 mainly) — “Way above its station. Bingo wine for the CHR restaurant and bistrot trade.” VALUE at 10 euros. Drink 2024-25.
  • NV (2012 mainly) — “Bright black fruit with good body, tannic support, runs truly, with freshness.” Drink 2020-21.

Vin de France Le Petit vin d’Avril white

67% Marsanne (1989-97), 33% Clairette blanche & Bourboulenc. Steel vat, raised on lees 5 months. 6,000-7,000 bottles.

  • NV (2015) — “Immediate fat on the attack. Supple, sudiste heart with salted grip of Marsanne late on.” Drink 2020-21.
  • 2024 — “Compote of stewed white fruits, measured gras. Rounded table wine.” Drink 2030-31.

My Tastings

Vintage Assessments (JLL Vintage Reports)

2019: Ranked among the grandiose years alongside 2016, 2010, and 1990. Very good indeed at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, certainly ahead of 2018 and 2017. White was STGT. See 2019 Rhone Vintage.

2017: White was STGT — “a classic example of a slow-burn wine.” The red in a difficult vintage of drought and Grenache coulure; a stock picker’s year. See 2017 Rhone Vintage.

2016: Red six stars (“enormously, majestically deep and long”). JLL considers 2016 an exceptional vintage that may re-establish Châteauneuf-du-Pape as the source of serious, well-balanced reds. Superior to 2015 in the South. See 2016 Rhone Vintage.

2015: Red: “a bolder, more demanding wine requiring patience.” White was STGT. See 2015 Rhone Vintage.

2014: JLL’s 2014 CdP review opens with a Clos des Papes serenade: “a serenade from Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos des Papes.” The vintage emphasized enjoyment — bundles of fruit and mild tannins. See 2014 Rhone Vintage.

2012: Five stars. A fresh, naturally drinkable vintage — the first CdP in 20+ years to ease back on extraction. See 2012 Rhone Vintage.

2010: Six stars (drink window 2044-48). JLL: “magic fruit; v long, beats 1990.” One of the highest-rated CdP wines of the vintage. See 2010 Rhone Vintage.

2009: Five stars (drink window 2032-35). “Fresh, persistent.” A concentrated, sun-driven vintage. See 2009 Rhone Vintage.

2006: Tradition red rated ★★★★ (“big, stationary,” drink 2031-33, tasted 11/15). A vintage of ingrained harmony and balance, with accessible, easy-drinking wines that gained more brooding character post-bottling. See 2006 Rhone Vintage.

Sources

  • sources/articles/JLL/Clos_des_Papes.txt — Producer profile (John Livingstone-Learmonth, drinkRhone.com)
  • sources/articles/JLL/rhone_wines_data.json — JLL / drinkRhone.com wine-by-wine vintage notes
  • sources/articles/JLL/rhone_vintage_reports.json — JLL vintage reports 2006-2019 (+ 2009-2014 vintage reports)

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