Paul Avril Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France 2017

Paul Avril Clos des Papes is a wine producer in the Rhône Valley, making one of the most sought-after wines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC.

The estate is made up of 24 small plots throughout the appellation totaling 79 acres. All of the 13 permitted grape varieties are grown in these vineyards, although Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah are the most important in terms of production. Picking is spread out to ensure maximum quality, and green harvests and strict berry selection ensures a low yield. Clos des Papes takes its name from one of its plots located near the ruins of the 14th Century Papal castle. 

"One of the strongest wines in the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Vincent Avril. This beauty has everything you could ask for. As with the 2018, the blend is heavily shifted toward Mourvèdre, and it offers a mammoth bouquet of black cherries, graphite, cured meats, Asian spices, and assorted garrigue-like nuances. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays straight and focused on the palate (whereas the 2016 is more expansive and voluptuous), with a stacked mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, and fabulous length. You’re going to want bottles of this in the cellar, and comparing the 2007, 2010, 2016, and 2017 over the coming two decades is going to be a treat." Jeb Dunnuck 98+

45% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, about 10% Syrah