Clos Des Papes (Paul-Vincent Avril) Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Rouge 2020

Clos des Papes (Paul-Vincent Avril) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2020 is a profound, beautifully poised, and incredibly elegant red wine from one of the Southern Rhône's most legendary estates. Sourced from organically farmed, low-yielding vines, the 2020 vintage is a classic blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, with a touch of other permitted varieties. In the glass, it reveals a brilliant ruby hue. The highly expressive, aromatic bouquet opens with captivating notes of sweet kirsch, wild framboise, and crushed blackberries, seamlessly intertwined with complex nuances of Asian spices, dried flowers, and classic Provençal garrigue. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet remarkably weightless, delivering a pure, concentrated core of red and dark fruit. This luxurious texture is perfectly structured by ultra-fine, silky tannins and a beautifully integrated freshness, culminating in a seamless, complex, and extraordinarily long finish that promises decades of graceful evolution in the cellar.

Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with herb-crusted rack of lamb, savory duck confit, classic beef bourguignon, robust wild mushroom dishes, and mature aged cheeses.

97 Points - Wine Spectator

Beguiling, with a plume of black tea and incense leading off, followed by black cherry reduction, cassis, melted black licorice, warm earth, singed tobacco and garrigue accents. Offers breadth and depth with a seamless feel, capped by a subtle mineral edge that lingers lengthily amid the beautiful fruit. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2040.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

I last reported on the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape prior to bottling, so let me update readers here. It's a terrific, red-fruited version of Clos des Papes, with raspberry and cherry notes accented by hints of black olive and allspice. Full-bodied, taut and firmly structured, with a long, concentrated finish, this is a vintage that should reward cellaring.

95 Points - James Suckling