Châteauneuf du Pape, Clos des Papes, 2020
Floral fine aromas of dark cherries. Suave but with crunch and freshness to the palate. Lovely morello and red cherry notes infused with gentle peppery spices. Very fine, pure and precise. Gentle and charming, but not lacking for substance. The intricate flavours float across the palate, guided by a fine seam of freshness, and culminate in a long, persistent but effortless finish. Spellbinding. A blend of approximately 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, no more than 10% Syrah and 10% of the other permitted varieties. A blend of 14 organically-farmed parcels from across the commune, de-stalked, fermented in tank and then aged in large wooden vat for 12 months
critic reviews
I last reported on the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape prior to bottling, so let me update readers here. It's a terrific, red-fruited version of Clos des Papes, with raspberry and cherry notes accented by hints of black olive and allspice. Full-bodied, taut and firmly structured, with a long, concentrated finish, this is a vintage that should reward cellaring.
Made with the usual blend of 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, Cinsaut and other permitted varieties, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape checks in at 15.5% alcohol. It bursts with pungent aromas of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, black plum, thyme, black pepper and is distinctively spicy. Full-bodied and expressive, wrapped in an intricate web of velvety tannins and balanced by lively acids, it is a majestic Clos des Papes.