| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Southern Rhône > Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Paul Avril Clos des Papes
The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape looks to be a huge success and reminds me of the 2007. As is normal, Vincent keeps multiple foudres with different blends (as well as a foudre of the final blend), and it's always incredibly educational tasting through the different barrels. The final blend has a classic, sweet bouquet of kirsch, spices, and garrigue, and it's full-bodied, deep, and thrillingly concentrated on the palate. The blend is shifted more toward Mourvèdre due to the tiny quantity of Grenache in the vintage, which makes me think this cuvée might close down shortly after bottling, but it's upfront and incredibly expressive today.
Paul-Vincent Avril and I tasted from several foudres of the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape. Foudre #17 was Syrah-heavy, with plenty of blueberry and blackberry fruit tinged with licorice. Full-bodied and rich, it was also silky and long (93 - 95 points). Number 19 was 55% Grenache and 45% Mourvèdre, more floral, herbal and spicy, with black cherry fruit and ample concentration (95 - 97 points). From #18, an approximation of the final 60,000-bottle blend, the wine was full-bodied and velvety, ripe and concentrated without going over the top, with cherry and blueberry fruit that lingered on the finish (94 - 96 points). According to Avril, the 2017 will be approximately 45% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre, with the balance mainly Syrah, and a finished alcohol of about 15.3% (less than in 2016).
Several different cask samples tasted at the domaine.
Sample 1: 64% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre and Counoise.
Quite limited nose but the palate shines – peppery, silky, pure black cherry and piquant spice on the finish. A touch of smoke and char. Long, fragrant length. Very soft tannins.
Sample 2: 55% Grenache, 45% Mourvèdre.
Black fruit on the nose, then lovely floral complexity on the finish, lined with sweet spice and dark chocolate. Same feathery tannin. Meaty, savoury length. Crystal clear.
Sample 3 – possible final blend: 45% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, plus Muscardin, Counoise and Vaccarèse.
Black cherry, wet earth, lovely moss and garrigue with a granitic ferrous edge. Super-smooth tannins – ready to go. Lovely, long, leathery finish with savoury, charred meat to finish.
