2021, Domaine Paul Avril, CLOS DES PAPES, Rouge

Red"A beautiful 2021 Chateauneuf-du-Pape that readers will love to have in the cellar.’" - Jeb Dunnuck

"Good sense of purity, quite a Burgundian vintage." - Matt Walls, Decanter.

As a wine often described as the 'Burgundy of the Rhone' - Vincent Avril had to contend with a most Burgundian vintage in 2021 - which began with a nasty spring frost on April 8th that shocked the vines by taking them down to -4ºC  (from 19ºC during the day) and wiping out 40% of his crop.

As Vincent himself remarked after his 2021 efforts;
"It is a vintage quite close to 2020, namely great finesse, elegance and silkiness. Ruby colour, nose of kirsch, black cherry and spices (characteristic of Mourvèdre). The percentage of Mourvèdre is higher [in 2021] because most of the Syrah had frozen. It is certainly a wine for laying down which is characterized by great freshness, good length and depth."

It can be deceptively approachable young but cellars well and improves for many years.

A blend of approximately 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, no more than 10% Syrah/Shiraz - with the balance made up of the other permitted varieties.
While production was down 40% due to the frost, Vincent was able to make a beautiful 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape that readers will love to have in the cellar. All about finesse and elegance, it reveals a classic Clos des Papes nose of both red and black fruits as well as tons of floral, pepper, and spicy notes. These carry to a medium-bodied 2021 that has good ripeness, a supple, silky mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's not far off the style of the 2020, and while it doesn't have the density of a top vintage, it nevertheless has balance, complexity, and elegance, and will have 15+ years of longevity. 93-95 Jeb Dunnuck, November 2022.

Defined raspberry and redcurrant fruits, some woody spices in the background. Quite a rounded, fluid style, the acidity is really quite marked this year. Tannins are gentle, and it finishes on raspberry and redcurrant coulis. There's a silky touch on the palate. It's built around the acidity, the tannins are just gently sandy. Good sense of purity, quite a Burgundian vintage. Less Grenache in the blend this year as it was particularly hit by the frost. Drinking window 2025 - 2038 95/100 Matt Walls, DECANTER Magazine.

“Leather and spice notes, pure with good fresh vivacity on the nose. The palate is ripe and seductive, layered with forest fruits, dark spiced figs. Attractive refreshing acidity, red fruits and a wild garrigue savoury Mourvèdre note – the tannins are supple and silky – dark forest-fruits finish, which is broad, ample and opulent but always with a finesse of tannins and a savoury liquorice mineral note.” 18/20. Alistair Cooper MW (for Jancis Robinson.com)