Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023 1.5L

The 2023 vintage reaffirms Clos des Papes as a benchmark of Châteauneuf du Pape precision and depth, presented here in the coveted 1.5L magnum format. Paul Vincent Avril has once again brought together the estate’s mosaic of 24 parcels to create a wine of remarkable harmony and presence. The season delivered balance and clarity, with enough warmth for full ripeness while preserving natural acidity. In magnum, the wine’s character is even more refined, with slower development and enhanced purity.

Grenache leads the blend, supported by Mourvèdre and Syrah, along with smaller additions of Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin and Cinsault. Each grape contributes a distinct dimension: Grenache for breadth and warmth, Mourvèdre for structure and depth, and Syrah for spice and definition. The diversity of the estate’s vineyards, from the galet covered plateau of La Crau to the sandy and limestone soils closer to the village, builds layered complexity into the final cuvée.

The grapes were fully destemmed, fermented in traditional vats and matured in large neutral foudres to safeguard fruit purity. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the 2023 magnum shows seamless texture, fine tuned energy and a slow, graceful evolution over time. It is a vintage of quiet concentration, dense in flavour but not in weight, with the magnum format offering even greater longevity and composure for collectors.