Ripe red fruit on the nose with notes of jam and maraschino cherries. Rich and delicious on the palate, showing notes of plum, black cherry, spice box. This CdP absolutely delivers the good. We could not believe how approachable this wine is now, and it boggles the imagination as good it is going to be with another 5 to 10 years.

Clos des Papes Winery

The Avril family has been making wine in Châteaneuf-du-Pape since the early part of the 18th century. Their wines have been bottled under the name Clos des Papes since 1896. Perhaps the most important figure in the domaine’s history is Paul Avril, who ran the estate from 1963 through 1987. Paul was a staunch traditionalist who firmly believed in the principle of ‘one estate, one wine’, and resisted the pressure to bottle high ticket super-cuvées. In keeping with this philosophy, Clos des Papes produces only one cuvée of red Châteauneuf and one of white. In addition to advancing the quality of the wines at his own domaine, Paul was an important and well-respected advocate for the appellation, serving as both the head of the growers’ syndicate and the regional representative to the INAO. Paul passed away in June of 2009 at the age of 72.

Though Paul was very much involved in the affairs of the estate up until his passing, his son, Vincent, took over winemaking duties full-time in 1987. Vincent Avril is known not only as a talented winemaker, but as a gracious host and a gregarious ambassador for the region. (skurnikwines.com)