Clos des Papes 2023

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.

Cassis pastilles, licorice, ripe blackberry, herbal tones and peppery accents introduce the 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which was bottled in May 2025. Gently wrapped around smooth tannins with less apparent structure than the preceding 2022 vintage, the 2023 is an open-knit, accessible but ageworthy red Clos des Papes, hitting the palate with boatloads of jammy strawberry flavors. Juicy and smooth, the 2023 is one of the sexiest Clos des Papes in recent history and totally worth the hunt.

Impressive volume to this 2023, with so much texture and spices, yet it remains totally in control. Silky and fine-tuned, it showcases aromas of dark cherries, dark plums, exotic spices, dried flowers and some dried leaves. It\'s full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a seductive, silky texture. There’s precise polish here. The rich fruit and intense core of spice complement each other, providing a well-composed, harmonious palate. Long, succulent and flavorful finish. Drink or hold.

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.