Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2003《Terroir Collection - ZTF507L》

                       《Terroir Collection》

Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2003《Terroir Collection - ZTF507L》

Region: Chateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone

Grape Vareity: Grenache , Mourvedre, Syrah

Alc.: 14%

🌟 Robert Parker listed Clos des Papes as one of the Top 155 Producers from his book <The World's Greatest Wine Estate> 

🌟 Biodynamic Farming

🏅 Wine Advocate 97 pts

🏅 Jeb Dunnuck 97 pts

🏅 Vinous 94 pts

🏅 Vivino 4.3

“Agriculture Biologique”

The History of Clos des Papes 

Clos des Papes (Paul Avril) has a long history in the region thanks to the first Paul Avril. Avril was born in 1873 and passed away after 91 great years in the appellation. In fact, Avril was one of the key people responsible for the official birth of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Avril began producing and selling Clos des Papes all the way back in 1896.However, the Avril family has a much longer history in Chateauneuf du Pape that can be traced back to the 18th century. During the second half of the 1700’s historical records show references to members of the Avril family having acted as treasurers and municipal consuls. Clos des Papes was one of the first estates in Chateauneuf du Pape, as well as in all of the Rhone Valley to produce, bottle and sell their own wine. Their first wine bearing the Clos des Papes label was released in 1896! The second Paul Avril joined Clos des Papes in 1963. He passed away in 2009.

The Modern Age of Clos des Papes

The current owner and director is Paul Vincent Avril, who was born in 1965. He started to work at Clos des Papes in1988. Paul Avril trained at several other wineries before joining the family business at Clos des Papes. Paul Vincent Avril even had a stint at Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux where he learned more about winemaking and the trade. It could be said that Paul Avril is a modern traditionalist. On the one hand, he destems the grapes, seeks low yields and does not filter. On the other hand, Paul Vincent Avril eschews new oak and would not consider producing a high end cuvee. His staunch philosophy is that would only serve to harm their main brand, which is Clos des Papes, a wine that has been produced for more than a century. In 2002, it was the idea of Paul Vincent Avril to start using the unique embossed bottle you see for Clos des Papes to this day.

The Winemaking of Clos des Papes

The vineyard of Clos des Papes consists of 35 hectares of vines that are spread over 24 separate parcels in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation for the production of their wine. 4 hectares in their cooler terroir are reserved for grapes used in the production of Clos des Pape Blanc, their white Chateauneuf du Pape wine.31 hectares are used to plant grapes for their red Chateauneuf du Pape. Part of what makes the wine of Clos des Papes special is the range of different terroirs and soils their vineyards are located in. The vineyards of Clos des Papes have a wide array of terroirs ranging from the rocky soils of La Crau to areas of sand, limestone and gravel soil. Perhaps some of the complexities found in Clos des Papes are in the wine due to different soils their vines are planted in. They also have some of their best Grenache vines planted in sandy soils in the west and and southeastern part of the appellation. In the northeastern part of the appellation, you find they have more of their vines planted in the on soils littered with rocks, stones, clay and limestone. It is the blending of these diverse terroirs and the different grape varieties that create Clos des Papes. Most of these vines are devoted to red wines. Only 10% are reserved for production of the white wine. The white wine of Clos des Papes made its debut in 1955. At Clos des Papes, they practice biodynamic farming. In 2010, the property was certified “Agriculture Biologique.”Clos des Papes remains one of the top wines in the region. Prices have risen, but so has the quality. The wine has the ability to age and evolve for 2 decades or more. 2016 is perhaps the finest wine they have produced. But with so many great vintages produced here, it is really hard to pick a favorite. However, a recently tasted bottle of 1945 Clos des Papes showed just how well this wine ages! That bottle was the greatest fully mature Southern Rhone wine I have yet tasted. If an award for the most consistent producer in Chateauneuf du Pape were given out for wines made over the past 60 years, or even longer, surely, Clos des Papes would be a contender to win the prize! This is easily borne out when looking at the list of top vintages from the property since the 1940’s.

Clos des Papes produces 2 wines, a red Chateauneuf du Pape and a Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.

Clos des Papes Rouge is produced from about 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 5% from other varietals that range from Muscardin, Vaccarese to Counoise. It is the goal of Clos des Papes to always include a large portion of Mourvedre in the blend whenever possible, for its spicy qualities and structural backbone. On average, the vines are at least 50 years or older. Yields are kept low. For an example, the young vines are on average 28 hectoliters per hectare while the older vines often have yields of less than 21 hectoliters per hectare. They have some of their best vines planted close to the village, and in the La Crau and Courthezon lieux-dits. The grapes are 100% destemmed at Clos des Papes. The first vintage they began destemming their grapes 100% was 1991. Clos des Papes co ferments all their different grape varietals. Vinification takes place in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. The wines are fined and not filtered. The wine is aged in old foudres for about 15 months before bottling. The production of Clos des Papes is close to 7,100 cases per year. Clos des Papes Blanc which made its debut in 1955 is produced from a blend of 20% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc and 20% Picpoul. The wine is vinified and aged in stainless steel tanks for 6 months. The average annual production is close to1,000 cases per vintage. Character and Style of Clos des Papes Atits best, the wine combines intensity, concentration, complexity, purity of fruit and elegance. The texture as the wine ages ranges from silk to luscious velvet.

🏅 Wine Advocate 97 pts

The 2003 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape (the # 2 wine in the Wine Spectator’s annual winefest) has long been one of the most profound wines of the vintage. It somehow manages to offer the vintage’s character in power, high glycerin, and huge volume, but retains remarkable elegance and finesse that is so much in keeping with the style of Clos des Papes. The wine has a dense ruby/purple-tinged color and a wonderfully sweet nose of framboise, blackberry, and kirsch liqueur intermixed with Chinese black tea and licorice. The wine is full-bodied and voluptuous, but once past all the glycerin and beautiful, dense fruit of this full-bodied wine, there is striking purity, elegance, finesse, and surprising freshness.

🏅 Jeb Dunnuck 97 pts

While I've always loved the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape, it was extremely controversial in its youth due to its exuberance and ripeness. Yet today, with the wine at maturity, all of that controversy has been put to bed and I know of no one contesting the beauty of this wine - the 2007 vintage in Chateauneuf du Pape will be the same. Looking at the 2003 vintage, Paul-Vincent told me that they started harvest on September 5, but quickly had to stop due to rain on the September 7. They waited for the vineyards to dry out and the last plots weren't brought in until October 4! As to the wine, this beautiful 2003 offers a kaleidoscope of kirsch liqueur, Asian spices, ground herbs, blackberries and incense. Full-bodied, textured, ripe and plush, Avril commented that this would evolve similar to the '89, but I certainly see no need to delay gratification here and would drink up while the getting's good!

🏅 Vinous 94 pts

Deep red color. Positively explosive aromas of fresh cherry, redcurrant, blackberry and candied licorice ("the most kirsch I've ever found in a wine," says Avril). Huge and mouthfilling, with serious weight but also excellent purity to the lush, powerful fruit. Deeply pitched dark chocolate and espresso add even more heft to the flavors, and roasted herbs contribute lift. For all of these elements, the wine is elegant, finishing with outstanding energy and focus.

$950/Bottle