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Tasting shared by the Oeni team
Clos des Papes, the flagship estate of the Avril family, is one of the most respected domaines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Renowned for a style that is powerful, elegant, and beautifully balanced, it stands out year after year as a benchmark for the appellation. The 2022 vintage, shaped by the heat but also by refreshing nighttime coolness, gives rise to a wine of remarkable harmony and promising depth.
Appearance
The wine shows an intense ruby color with purple highlights, bright and dense. It reflects both the ripeness of the grapes and the vitality of this youthful vintage.
Nose
On the nose, the bouquet charms with its richness and aromatic precision:
- ripe red and black fruit: sour cherry, raspberry, blackberry,
- delicate floral notes: violet and blooming garrigue,
- typical Rhône spices: black pepper, licorice, clove,
- a backdrop of garrigue, thyme, and rosemary, which defines the identity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Palate
On the palate, Clos des Papes 2022 offers a broad, generous texture, balanced by welcome freshness:
- velvety, fleshy attack, driven by ripe fruit,
- silky yet firm tannins, promising graceful evolution,
- an intense mid-palate, where black fruit, gentle spices, and Mediterranean herbs weave together,
- a long, persistent, elegant finish, with lovely mineral and spicy energy.
Food & Wine Pairings
This Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 will pair beautifully with:
- a roast leg of lamb with Provence herbs,
- a hare or wild boar stew,
- a slow-cooked Provençal daube,
- or even aged cheeses with real character, such as an old Cantal or a Banon.
Aging Potential
Still young and full of energy, the 2022 vintage is already appealing for its bright fruit, but it has a solid structure that gives it 15 to 20 years of aging potential. With time, it will develop aromas of truffle, leather, and evolved garrigue.
Conclusion
The Oeni team was won over by the Clos des Papes 2022: a wine that is both generous, poised, and elegant, and one that expresses the Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir perfectly. A great vintage with a bright future, capable of delighting both enthusiasts and collectors.
