Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021 is a vintage of poise and quiet power. Deep and focused, it opens with ethereal aromas of iris, lilac, and spice, backed by a peppery lift. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, and finely textured, with velvety tannins and a rich core of fruit—classic Clos des Papes tension meets elegance. With less Grenache due to spring frost, the blend leans into freshness and precision. Aged in foudres, this wine promises graceful aging through 2045, delivering finesse, harmony, and exceptional purity. A truly refined vintage with serious cellar potential.

The Wine Advocate | RP 96
Published: Oct 31, 2024
Drink: 2025-2045

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.

Decanter | D 95
Published: Oct 1, 2022
Drink: 2025-2038

Defined raspberry and redcurrant fruits, some woody spices in the background. Quite a rounded, fluid style, the acidity is really quite marked this year. Tannins are gentle, and it finishes on raspberry and redcurrant coulis. There's a silky touch on the palate. It's built around the acidity, the tannins are just gently sandy. Good sense of purity, quite a Burgundian vintage. Less Grenache in the blend this year as it was particularly hit by the frost. 

Jamessuckling.com | JS 94
Published: Apr 23, 2021

A perfumed nose of cherries, dark berries, baking spices, violets, licorice and some incense as well. It's medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. It's well-balanced with finesse and harmony. Crunchy and fresh with a velvety texture and great drinkability. Juicy, precise finish with excellent length. Drink or hold.

Clos-des-papes.fr

Paul Avril (1873-1962) was one of the people behind the creation of the appellation. In 1896 he started to sell his wines with the name Clos des Papes. Regis Avril (1901-1987) delivered wines to two presidents of France General de Gaulle and Georges Pompidou. Paul Avril (1937-2009) started working at the domain 1963 at first together with his father and later for many years with his son. Paul-Vincent Avril (1965 - ) attended as a young man wine school in Bourgondy and when he went back to the domain in 1988 he had visions about finesse and elegance and he still considers these qualities as most importent for a high class wine.

Today the property covers 32 ha. 3 ha. is with white varieties. 24 different parcels are spread around the town. One parcel is nearby the pope's castle and has been surrounded by walls (clos). From here came the name of the domain. Since 2011 the vineyards are certified "agriculture biologique"

Only one cuvee of white (10% of the production) and of red Chateauneuf du Pape are made. Since 1991 destalking has been total and since 1987 the total production has been bottled at the domain. The secret behind the high quality is a low yield. In vintage 2007, 2008 and 2009 the yield has been 25, 17 and 19 hl/ha. The yield is minimized by green harvest and by repeated sorting of the grapes during harvest. Clos des Papes is not a place for experiments. The aim is constantly to make a wine of very high quality that meet the expectations from Paul Vincent Avril himself as well from his costumers around the world. It's a sign of quality to Avril if the wine is recognizable through the vintages. 80% of the production counting about 100.000 bottles is exported. It's not at all a problem for Avril to sell his wines even in times where the market suffers from crisis.

Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge
65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 5% others.
Aged in foudres for 12-15 months.

After the paucity of yield in 2018 (9hl ha), he no doubt breathed a huge sigh of relief at the end of the harvest. For 2019 had heavily compensated them with a highly qualitative and generous crop, at least by Clos de Papes standards, which means yields of 20-25 hl /ha. This has meant a return to a more typical Clos des Papes blend, favouring Grenache. 2019 is a powerful, incredibly silky and balanced vintage that seems destined for a long life. In Vincent?s opinion it is comparable to legendary vintages 2016 and 2010.