Bottled in May and based on 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape was completely destemmed and brought up entirely in foudre. Its medium ruby hue is followed by a gorgeously complex nose of red and black fruits, Provençal spices, and roasted meats. It's medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, layered, ultra-classy style that will drink beautifully for 20-25 years. Drink 2025-2048. Paul-Vincent Avril continues to be one of the most talented and passionate winemakers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape today. From his estate located on the southern end of the village and pulling from roughly 90 acres of vines spread throughout the appellation, he makes a single white and red Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has resisted the urge to produce any special cuvées. The red is always based on roughly 55-60% Grenache, 20-30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, completely destemmed and aged entirely in older foudre in a temperature-controlled cellar. Always from tiny yields, his Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a staunchly traditional and world-class wine that always shines for its elegance and texture. The 2024 red shows the classy, elegant style of the vintage and should surpass both the 2008 and 2021, while the 2023 brings more depth and concentration. The whites here are sensational, with the 2023 showing a touch more depth and volume compared to the 2024.

Checking in at 15.7% alcohol, the 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is totally sexy. Ripe black fruits, cassis pastilles, licorice, garrigue and herbal elements are all pushed forward. Framed by smooth tannins, the full-bodied 2023 jumps at you right away. It mesmerizes with gorgeous purity of fruit, lifting freshness and ample resilience on the focused finale. I can’t wait to taste it from bottle.

The 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos des Papes is exquisite, wafting from the glass with a captivating bouquet of sweet red berries, iris, dark cherries, menthol, blood orange and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and textured, it’s denser than usual, with a more pronounced structure and a lovely, fleshy core of fruit. Concluding with an ethereal, saline and weightless finish, this is a strong candidate for wine of the vintage—one that should evolve with grace over the coming years to attain a likely perfect score.