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CDP Clos des Papes, Paul Avril Clos des Papes 2016

Tasting Notes

Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!

100
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, August 2018

The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is full-bodied but balanced, with plenty of richness and concentration but also a certain paradoxical lightness. It offers complex garrigue and anise notes, a blend of cherry and raspberry fruit, a silky texture and a long finish that shows no sign of the wine's 15.8% alcohol. For technocrats, the wine's pH is 3.7, which is sufficient acidity to maintain a fine sense of balance. This lovely wine should drink well for at least two decades. Together with the 2015 and the 2017, it will be a compelling trio of wines to follow over the years.

97+
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (238), August 2018

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Paul-Vincent is going to be beauty! As is normal I was able to taste through numerous foudre of different blends, as well as a foudre of the final blend, all of the samples showed distinct, rich, even opulent profile, terrific purity and ripe backbones. The final cuvee shows the classic sweet core of fruit that’s the hallmark of this estate, as well as notable complexity in its peppery herbs, dried flowers, scorched earth and graphite aromas and flavors. This is a darker fruited cuvee than normal, and I suspect it’s going to rival the 2007 and 2010.

97/100
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, October 2017

Paul-Vincent Avril and I tasted his 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape from several different foudres, including number 30, which he said best approximated the final blend. It boasts everything you could ever want in a full-bodied red: complex garrigue and anise notes, a blend of cherry, peach and blueberry fruit, a lush, creamy texture and a long finish. With its power and concentration, it should age well for at least two decades. Drink 2020-2040.

94/96
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (233), October 2017
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.