Clos des Papes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rouge 2015

The quintessential expression of the Burgundian style that Paul-Vincent Avril strives to achieve at this estate, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Clos des Papes is immediately attractive and approachable, wafting from the glass with an entrancing bouquet of rose, lilac, spices and a Pinot-like delicacy that sets it apart from its peers. Medium- to full-bodied, round and juicy, it's open and silky, with a pure, ethereal core of fruit and a long, seamless finish of remarkable refinement.

Bottled in May, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is a floral, elegant, unbelievably complex wine. Roses and violets, cherries and stone fruit, cinnamon and allspice and more are carried across the full-bodied yet almost weightless palate, finishing in a swirl of silky tannins and lingering spice. Drink it over the next two decades.

Tasted on three separate occasions, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Paul-Vincent is a classic, elegant, and incredibly complex style of wine reminiscent of a Grand Cru Red Burgundy (Chambolle-Musigny?). Black raspberries, blueberries, incense, pine resin, dried orange and exotic floral notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, ethereally textured 2015 that has moderate tannin, beautiful purity, and a seamless finish. I compared this to an improved 2005 last year when I tasted it from barrel, but I’m not sure that comparison holds today, and I struggle to come up with another similar vintage. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful wine that should be at its best from 2020-2030+.

(raised in foudres) Deep ruby. Hugely aromatic red and dark berry, potpourri and floral scents are underscored by smoky minerality and an exotic suggestion of Asian spices. Sappy, focused and impressively deep yet lively, offering alluringly sweet raspberry, cherry compote and spicecake flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of blood orange. Puts on weight and spreads out steadily with air, acquiring a succulent herb note that carries through the strikingly long, mineral-laced, gently tannic finish. This beauty is shaping up to be among the standouts of this extremely successful vintage.

Impressive and bright mixed summer berry and spiced cherry fruits on the nose in a vibrant, alluringly complex style. The palate delivers succulently ripe red cherry and plum fruit flavors. Plenty of weight. Gently warm and spicy finish. Drink from 2020.