Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2021

Spring frosts on 8th April reduced the crop by about 40% in this vintage, and it was the Syrah which was most affected so the percentages this year change a little to 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah with a splash of other varieties. 100% destemmed and natural yeast fermented over several weeks. Matured in large oak casks for 12-15 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

”Very different from the 2022 vintage, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos des Papes is deeper and more powerful. It reveals delicate aromas of flowers, iris, lilac and spices, intertwined with lovely peppery notes. Full-bodied, concentrated and dense, it displays the estate’s characteristic tension but with perfectly controlled power that brings a richer, solid core of fruit. The finish is long, ethereal and peppery, complemented by velvety tannins that promise graceful aging. It has a real potential to improve in the cellar.” 96 points, The Wine Advocate, November 2024