Clos des Papes

Paul Avril is a benchmark producer in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, with its roots dating back to the late 19th century. Sticking to traditional techniques and always aiming to produce the highest quality wine, Clos de Papes is one of the region's most beloved and sought-after bottles. Blended with grenache, mourvèdre, and syrah, these wines are known for their finesse and elegance, offering notes of dark fruit, spice, and garrigue.

Paul Avril 'Clos des Pape': The Heart of Chateaneuf-du-Pape

Planted in 24 small plots across 32 hectares of land, a range of terroirs and soils produce the signature complexity of the final blends. From the rocky soils of La Crau to areas of sand and limestone soils, Paul Avril Clos des Papes is blessed with a unique set of terroirs, masterfully handled by the winemaking team. Each harvest is handpicked, followed by a rigorous selection of grapes, destemming the entire crop, fermentation in stainless steel vats, and aging with no new oak for 18 months. 

Vincent Avril and his father, Paul, were heavily inspired by meticulous, Burgundian winemaking, preferring traditional methods over high-tech, modern processes. And tradition has paid off for the estate, gaining a reputation for producing one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's greatest wines. The bottles are instantly recognizable to wine enthusiasts across the globe and beloved by top critics in the industry. From Robert Parker to Jeb Dunnuck, Clos Des Papes has been labeled "legendary," "monumental," and "remarkable," illustrating their prestige and unmatched elegance. 

2007 & 2010 Clos Des Papes: Two of the Finest Rhone Wines

The 2007 and 2010 vintages have been labeled as two of the estate's greatest wines, and two of the Rhone's greatest wines ever made. While rating the bottle a perfect 100 points, Jeb Dunnuck noted, "One of the great vintages from this estate, surpassing even... the 2010 (time will tell with this one), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape from Vincent Avril delivers everything you could want from a wine."

Ultimately, the 100-point, 2007 bottle is a benchmark Southern Rhone, delivering power, polish, and depth in a wine still evolving beautifully. The 99-point 2010 is right behind it, which is layered, expressive, and fully in its drinking window.

"The 2007s are extremely appealing," he told me, "and you could almost drink them right now. They're rich, with lots of kirsch and licorice, but most of them aren't dominated by alcohol." — Paul-Vincent Avril

These bottles are huge collectors' items and sell out quickly- make sure to grab yours before it's too late.