Product Description:
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.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Red and black fruit purity
Aromatic layers of cherry, cassis and plum unfold with iris, blood orange, liquorice and a subtle garrigue perfume.
PALATE
– Textured and poised
Medium to full-bodied with dense, fine tannins framing dark berries, exotic spice and fresh herbs; the texture is smooth and vividly balanced.
FINISH
– Graceful persistence
Long, weightless and saline with lingering spice, mineral freshness and supple fruit length.
Reviews & Accolades
“Exquisite… wafting from the glass with a captivating bouquet of sweet red berries, iris, dark cherries, menthol, blood orange and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and textured, denser than usual, with a lovely, fleshy core of fruit… a strong candidate for wine of the vintage.” — Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate, 99+ points
“Deeply coloured and quite dark in character… generous, full-bodied, quite spicy and fairly potent, with lovely bright, sappy acidity and very fine, soft tannins.” — Matt Walls, Decanter, 97 points
“Ripe black fruits, cassis pastilles, liquorice, garrigue and herbal elements are all pushed forward… framed by smooth tannins, the full-bodied 2023 jumps at you right away, with gorgeous purity of fruit and lifting freshness.” — Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, 94–96 points
Finer Details:
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Cinsault
Country - France
Region - Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 1.5 L
ABV - 15.5%
Closure - Cork