Clos Des Papes 2019 (750ML)

98 JD / 98 DE / 97+ WA / 97 WS / 96 VM / 95 JS / 18.5 JR

#6 Jeb Dunnuck Top 100 2021
Wine Advocate Reviewers’ Favorites 2022: A Wine for the Cellar

Tasted out of bottle, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a stunning example of this estate as well as the vintage. Gorgeous kirsch, flowery incense, spice box, and garrigue-like notes define the nose, and it hits the palate with classic Clos des Papes elegance and finesse backed up by a great mid-palate, fabulous concentration, and a monster of a finish. Don’t miss this beauty. It can be enjoyed today with incredible pleasure or cellared for two decades. - Jeb Dunnuck

Bright and floral on the nose. The tannins are extremely fine, almost imperceptible, but very much present, giving the wine a strong base for long ageing. It's perfectly balanced, long and deep, resulting in a rich but surprisingly classic vintage of Clos des Papes considering the extreme conditions this year. Rich but bright, very complete and pure with no excesses. Vines are typically 30 to 40 years old, spread across 24 parcels. Matured for 12 months in foudres of at least four years of age. - Matt Walls, Decanter

Coming in at 16% alcohol (like the 2016), the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos des Papes carries it comfortably, showing no sign of overt heat or overripeness. Hints of leather and crushed stone appear on the nose, adding a pleasant nuance to the somewhat monolithic black-cherry fruit. It shows less nuance and complexity than the 2020 at this stage but shows plenty of promise, as its concentration is matched by freshness and a long, reasonably elegant, finish. This will likely need some time to come around. - JC, Wine Advocate

This is a stunner, offering a gorgeous core of black tea-infused cassis, plum reduction and raspberry purée flavors. Additional black licorice, black tea and incense notes emerge alongside the fruit on the long, lush, seductive finish, which is harnessed by a graphite frame. A very confidently rendered wine. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2040. From France. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider HOT Wine

One of the wines of the vintage, Avril's 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape turned out beautifully. It wafts from the glass with pronounced aromas of predominantly red fruits, black cherry, garrigue, white pepper and crushed rocks, giving it a ferrous-like twist. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich, built like a brick wall and possesses staggering intensity, concluding with a powerful finish.-Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media

Dark berries, dried thyme, dried leaves, violets, cloves and some undergrowth as well. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Intense aromas of dark cherries and berries on the palate with herbs as well. Layered and textured with energy. Polished structure with a compact, focused finish. Drink or hold.-James Suckling

Cask samples tasted at the domaine.
Foudre sample 1: 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre.
Nose is crackling with energy. A yeasty dark-fruit core with strawberry, liquorice and mouth-watering freshness. There is minerality here alongside an elegant and beautifully rounded palate.
Foudre sample 2: 55% Mourvèdre, 40% Grenache, 5% other varieties.
A spice-led nose, with a hint of reduction. Beautiful purity and vibrancy with a fine peppery streak – so much energy and refined tannins. This is already absolutely delicious.
Foudre sample 3: Dark chocolate and forest fruits on the nose. Marked firm and fine tannins – this shows real richness and weight as well as beautiful spice. - Alistair Cooper MW, JancisRobinson .com