Clos des Papes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rouge 2014

Paul and Vincent Avril, a father and son team, established themselves as one of the finest producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being predominantly Grenache, it is reminiscent of an elegant northern Rhône Syrah with the texture of a Pinot. With a medium bodied intensity, it has a beautiful red fruit expression with some savoury notes. Harmony, finesse and elegance are probably the three words that best describe this beauty. One for the cellar.

(bottled with 14.3% alcohol and a pH of 3.7): Deep ruby. Highly perfumed scents of candied dark berries, cola and lavender oil develop a suave, smoky Indian spice nuance. Fleshy, expansive red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors display an impressive blend of richness and energy, picking up a mineral flourish with air. Finishes juicy, sweet and very long, displaying lingering, spice-tinged dark fruit flavors and slow-building tannins.

The 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape from Clos des Pape offers an exotic, complex style and has more richness than most in the vintage. Black cherries, olive, tobacco leaf, earth and saddle leather characteristics all give way to a beautifully textured, layered 2014 that has plenty of depth and density. It’s a forward, supple, charming effort from Paul-Vincent to enjoy over the coming decade.