Clos Des Papes (Paul-Vincent Avril) Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Blanc 2022

Clos des Papes (Paul-Vincent Avril) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2022 is an opulent, brilliantly structured, and remarkably complex white wine from one of the Southern Rhône's most iconic estates. Crafted from roughly equal proportions of all six permitted white varieties—Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, and Picardan—this wine is co-fermented in stainless steel with blocked malolactic fermentation to retain its vital freshness and tension. In the glass, it reveals a shimmering pale gold hue. The highly aromatic bouquet is exceptionally expressive and extroverted, bursting with inviting aromas of yellow peach, Anjou pear, and ripe mango, elegantly layered with delicate nuances of acacia flower, citrus peel, and a touch of brioche. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, hedonistic, and wonderfully round, delivering a concentrated core of plush orchard and tropical fruits. This lush profile is perfectly balanced by a vein of invigorating, salty minerality and bright acidity, culminating in a pristine, complex, and extraordinarily long finish. Known for its incredible aging potential, it will gracefully evolve and gain nutty, honeyed nuances over the next decade.

Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with butter-poached lobster, pan-seared sea scallops, rich veal chops in a creamy mushroom sauce, and flavorful mature hard cheeses.

96 Points - Wine Spectator

Really gorgeous, in an extroverted style with a lot of range, this white oozes mango, yellow peach and honey-coated apple flavors. A vein of invigorating minerality drives tension, with a quinine bitterness that punctuates the lush profile, while notes of acacia, brioche and sea salt echo on the long finish. Rich and full, with a lot of complexity and definition. Drink now through 2030.

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Produced from roughly equal proportions of six varieties, co-fermented in stages, as each one is deemed ripe and picked, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is atypically plush and ripe (it's close to 15% alcohol), marked by pineapple, white peach and tangerine notes. It's full-bodied and round, deceptively easy to drink yet concentrated and long on the finish. I suspect it may age longer than my projected range, but there's no compelling reason to wait on this vintage.

93 Points - James Suckling