Clos Des Papes 2018 (750ML)

96 JD / 96 DE / 96 WS / 95 WA / 94-96 VM

#13 Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 100 Wines of 2020

Due to devastating yields, there’s not much of the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape to go around, but it’s going to be worth the extra effort to track down. Based on 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah (and a splash of other permitted varieties), it offers a textbook, classic Châteauneuf du Pape nose of mulled red and black fruits, Provençal garrigue, ground pepper, and saddle leather. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied Clos des Papes that has thrillingly polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. Made in a style similar to the 1999, 2004, and maybe a kiss of the 2006, it has the beautiful elegance (again, a Grand Cru Burgundy comes to mind) paired with plenty of intensity and length. I doubt it will shut down and it’s going to evolve nicely for 15-20 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

There is more Mourvèdre here than an average year as the Grenache was hit relatively hard and it shows in the aromatic profile comprising damson, plum skin, mashed blueberry and liquorice. There's also a floral element and a little cinnamon kick on the finish. The tannins are silky, and the balance of acidity is good. It bears a certain resemblance to the 2015 but a little darker in style, concentrated and ripe, more mulled and more butch in style than a classic year. Just 30,000 bottles made from a yield of 9hl/ha - their smallest ever crop, losing 70% to mildew. - Matt Walls, Decanter

A very refined, silky style, with subtle bitter cherry, damson plum and raspberry coulis notes racing through, flanked by garrigue and sandalwood notes and ending with graceful rooibos tea and mineral threads. This offers understated luxury. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Bursting with striking red-fruit aromas and delicate cinnamon, clove and star anise notes, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape is another terrific vintage from this estate. While certainly full-bodied and powerful, it's also lithe and silky, with an almost airy feel on the palate that translates into great elegance on the lengthy finish. Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

Deep magenta. Intensely perfumed, mineral-tinged raspberry and cherry preserve scents are complicated by garrigue and Moroccan spice nuances. Juicy and appealingly sweet, displaying fleshy red fruit liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. Smoothly balances richness and energy and finishes extremely long and sappy, with smooth, harmonious tannins and a strong echo of candied flowers. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media