Chateauneuf du Pape
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Chateauneuf du Pape
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The flagship is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin, 75% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and the rest Counoise, brought up all in foudre. Blueberries, Peking duck, new saddle leather, black cherries, scorched earth, and an incredible sense of minerality all flow to a massive, concentrated, pure, perfectly balanced 2016 that is a prime example of the old saying, “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” It's a heavenly, perfect wine that's going to live for 30-50 years.Inc. VAT£769.19 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
On another level, the brilliant 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin is just about all Mourvèdre (there are small amounts of Grenache, Syrah, and Counoise) brought up in a large foudre. It reveals a saturated purple color as well as a super-rich, blockbuster-styled bouquet of blackcurrants, blackberries, ground pepper, truffle, charcuterie, and God knows what else. With full-bodied richness, a stacked, opulent mid-palate, building tannins, and a sensational finish, it’s another perfect wine from this team and is unquestionably in the same realm as the 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2016. Give bottles 7-8 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 40-50 years.Inc. VAT£683.99 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
I was questioning if the top cuvées were worth the money after tasting the traditional cuvée from winemaker Nicolas Boiron, then I tasted his 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape A La Gloire de Mon Grand-Père and decided that, yes indeed, the special cuvées in 2016 can certainly be worth the uptick in price. Based almost exclusively on Grenache (there’s a splash of Cinsault and Clairette) sourced from the La Gardiole lieu-dit and aged mostly in demi-muids, this heavenly beauty offers awesome notes of garrigue, toasted spices, flowers, licorice and loads of sweet Grenache fruit. Voluptuous, flamboyant, and sexy, yet also elegant and seamless, with a weightless texture, this is Grenache at its finest and is going to knock your socks off over the coming 10-15 years.Inc. VAT£424.03 -
Wine Advocate (97-99)
I was blown away by the prodigious fruit in the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes. Quantities are only maybe half of the 2016, so you can imagine how concentrated and rich this baby is. Waves of raspberry and cherry fruit are seductive on the nose, then crash over the palate with a tsunami of concentration and power. If time in the cellar can coax some additional elegance out of the wine, it could be a candidate for perfection.Inc. VAT£329.23 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The deepest colored of the trio and a true “Wow” wine, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Folie is 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that was completely destemmed and brought up 10% new barrels, with the balance in demi-muids. An insane bouquet of black cherry liqueur, blackberries, crushed rocks, and pepper garrigue gives way to a full-bodied, incredibly polished, seamless Grenache. This beauty does everything right and possesses a vibrant, sexy texture, no hard edges, and a blockbuster finish. It will most likely merit a triple-digit score in a few years and cruise for a decade or more.Inc. VAT£563.86 -
(6x75cl) 2016Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The sensational 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac comes from a sandy clay terroir located in the western portion of the appellation. A massive, deep, full-bodied wine, with a huge nose of blueberry liqueur, crushed rock, violets, and garrigue, it has no hard edges, a thick, unctuous texture, sweet tannin, and a finish that just won’t quit. It’s the greatest vintage of this wine ever made (surpassing the 2007) and will be a candidate for perfection in a few years and keep for 15-20 years.Inc. VAT£419.86 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac is brilliant and up there with some of the finest vintages to date of this cuvée. Based all on Grenache from a single lieu-dit in the southwest of the appellation called the Barbe d'Asne and brought up in concrete tanks, it offers up a gorgeous nose of kirsch liqueur, ground pepper, garrigue, and graphite. Deep, rich, and powerful on the palate, with tons of sweet fruit, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades or more.Inc. VAT£400.03 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
I’d put the 2018 Châteauneuf du Barbe Rac up against anything in this vintage. Coming from 100% Grenache brought up all in concrete, it reveals a deeper purple/ruby color as well as awesome notes of red and blue fruits, ground pepper, iodine, spring flowers, and a touch of gamey meat. Possessing more depth and concentration than most, it’s full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, silky tannins, and a big, big finish. I already like it today, but I suspect it will be even better with 1-3 years of bottle age, and it should keep for 15 years or more.Inc. VAT£406.03 -
Vinous (98)
Having followed the 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve from barrel and tasted it several times in bottle, this tasting reaffirmed it as a hallmark Rayas, arguably the finest during the late Emmanuel Reynaud's stewardship of the domaine. The nose is quintessential Rayas: an exuberant burst of kirsch layered with stemmy nuances, dried rosemary, sage and a medley of dried red fruits. On the full-bodied palate it shows energy and concentration in a seamless frame of silky tannins, which are remarkably refined within the context of a vintage otherwise marked by edgier textures. The finale is long, spicy and superbly poised with effortless balance. Slowly entering its prime drinking window, the 2005 Rayas promises at least two more decades of pleasure. This bottle was opened six hours in advance without decanting.Inc. VAT£1,899.60 -
Wine Spectator (96)
Lots of taut sinew here supporting the beam of black cherry, plum, tar and mineral flavors, with sweet earth, tobacco and cocoa powder on the finish. This wine has gotten progressively bigger over time and still seems in its ascendancy. Terrific focus and purity.--1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape retrospective. Drink now through 2020. 8,330 cases made. -JMInc. VAT£420.00 -
(12x75cl) 2006
Vinous - Josh Raynolds (94-97)
Foudre #1 (the fine one, according to Avril): Bright red. Intense strawberry and raspberry on the nose, with subtle garrigue and minerals adding complexity. Silky red fruit flavors show seductive spice and floral pastille qualities. Finishes with great persistence. Foudre #2 (the tannic one): Ruby-red. Bright red fruit aromas, with a deep undercurrent of licorice adding seriousness. The palate shows very spicy bitter cherry and dark berry liqueur flavors, chewy tannic grip and a long, vibrant finish. If this is Avril's idea of tannic in 2006, the final wine should be a supple beauty. Foudre #3 (the concentrated one, from 80-year-old vines cropped at15 hl/ha): Inky ruby. Rich cherry and cassis aromas, with a deep tapenade quality adding complexity. Sappy, sweet and packing major dark berry punch, this clocks in at 16.5% alcohol, but there's no obvious heat. An approximate blend: I hate doing this, but why not, said Avril, who doesn't believe that on-the-spot blends are accurate reflections of what winds up in the bottle. But this was his idea, not mine! Dark ruby. Powerful kirsch and blackcurrant aromas, with exotic licorice and fresh floral character expanding with air. Pliant dark berry and bitter cherry flavors carry through the long, sappy finish. A balanced, sweet powerhouse from this vantage point, with the concentration to age for at least a decade or two.Inc. VAT£1,229.21 -
(12x75cl) 2007
Wine Advocate (100)
One of the great vintages from this estate, surpassing even the 1990, 2000, 2001, 2003, and maybe the 2010 (time will tell with this one), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape from Vincent Avril delivers everything you could want from a wine. Full-bodied, intense and beautifully concentrated, with plenty of muscle and depth, it shows the hallmark elegance and purity of the estate, with sensational notes of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, incense, smoked meats and Asian spices. The blend is the normal 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, brought up all in older foudre, and it's just now entering its prime drink window and has another two decades of longevity.Inc. VAT£2,437.61 -
Wine Advocate (100)
One of the great vintages from this estate, surpassing even the 1990, 2000, 2001, 2003, and maybe the 2010 (time will tell with this one), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape from Vincent Avril delivers everything you could want from a wine. Full-bodied, intense and beautifully concentrated, with plenty of muscle and depth, it shows the hallmark elegance and purity of the estate, with sensational notes of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, incense, smoked meats and Asian spices. The blend is the normal 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, brought up all in older foudre, and it's just now entering its prime drink window and has another two decades of longevity.Inc. VAT£1,749.20 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Dusty, dried spice nose with lots of energy. Lovely sweetness and fluidity. Already fun to drink with an edge of animal but no suggestion of brett. Very clean and fruity and sweet. Transparent. Already lovely. And somehow it seems refreshing.Inc. VAT£776.81 -
(12x75cl) 2014
Decanter (95)
Paul and Vincent Avril, a father and son team, established themselves as one of the finest producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being predominantly Grenache, it is reminiscent of an elegant northern Rhône Syrah with the texture of a Pinot. With a medium bodied intensity, it has a beautiful red fruit expression with some savoury notes. Harmony, finesse and elegance are probably the three words that best describe this beauty. One for the cellar.Inc. VAT£751.90 -
(6x75cl) 2014
Decanter (95)
Paul and Vincent Avril, a father and son team, established themselves as one of the finest producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being predominantly Grenache, it is reminiscent of an elegant northern Rhône Syrah with the texture of a Pinot. With a medium bodied intensity, it has a beautiful red fruit expression with some savoury notes. Harmony, finesse and elegance are probably the three words that best describe this beauty. One for the cellar.Inc. VAT£416.44 -
Wine Spectator (98)
This offers a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that hold center stage but still allow notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this should cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040. 6,000 cases made.Inc. VAT£652.40 -
Wine Spectator (98)
This offers a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that hold center stage but still allow notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this should cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040. 6,000 cases made.Inc. VAT£614.00 -
(12x75cl) 2016
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!Inc. VAT£1,341.25 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!Inc. VAT£887.23 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!Inc. VAT£1,757.65 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!Inc. VAT£685.63 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
One of the strongest wines in the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Vincent Avril. This beauty has everything you could ask for. As with the 2018, the blend is heavily shifted toward Mourvèdre, and it offers a mammoth bouquet of black cherries, graphite, cured meats, Asian spices, and assorted garrigue-like nuances. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays straight and focused on the palate (whereas the 2016 is more expansive and voluptuous), with a stacked mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, and fabulous length. You’re going to want bottles of this in the cellar, and comparing the 2007, 2010, 2016, and 2017 over the coming two decades is going to be a treat.Inc. VAT£926.05 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
One of the strongest wines in the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Vincent Avril. This beauty has everything you could ask for. As with the 2018, the blend is heavily shifted toward Mourvèdre, and it offers a mammoth bouquet of black cherries, graphite, cured meats, Asian spices, and assorted garrigue-like nuances. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays straight and focused on the palate (whereas the 2016 is more expansive and voluptuous), with a stacked mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, and fabulous length. You’re going to want bottles of this in the cellar, and comparing the 2007, 2010, 2016, and 2017 over the coming two decades is going to be a treat.Inc. VAT£403.63 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
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.Inc. VAT£376.40 -
Wine Advocate (95)
A vintage that Avril is selling to restaurants as he thinks it's drinking beautifully (and I agree), the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc has superb freshness and minerality in its honeyed, hazelnut, licorice and stone fruit-driven bouquet. Layered, pure and balanced, with both freshness and richness, it will continue to evolve nicely, but there's no need to hold off.Inc. VAT£1,444.80 -
Vinous (94-95)
Vivid straw-yellow. Highly perfumed citrus and orchard fruit and floral qualities on the mineral-accented nose. Shows excellent concentration as well as vivacity, offering palate-staining pear, Meyer lemon and brioche flavors that stretch out steadily with air. The floral and mineral elements return emphatically on the intense, sharply focused finish, which lingers with serious persistence.Inc. VAT£847.61 -
(6x75cl) 2013Wine Advocate (95)
The cream of the lineup and one of the stars of the vintage is the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve le Clos du Caillou. Incorporating more Mourvèdre than normal (a blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Mourvèdre), this smokin’ southern Rhône sports a deep ruby/purple color to go with notes of blackcurrants, white pepper, orange liqueur and graphite. Big, full-bodied, supple and elegant, it’s certainly not as massive as some of the greats from this estate (2001, 2005, 2007 or 2010), but hats off to the team for producing a wine of this quality in a difficult vintage.Inc. VAT£486.80 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94)
The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres is deeper and richer than the base cuvée and possesses terrific notes of black raspberries, blackberry jam, exotic flower, and orange blossom. Full-bodied, polished, elegant and gorgeously pure on the palate, with fine tannin, it's a killer wine. Made from 95% Grenache (the balance is Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Vaccarèse), it too has a decade and more of prime drinking.Inc. VAT£469.61 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Deeper and richer, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus ex Machina has been nothing short of perfection on the 3-4 times I’ve been lucky enough to try it. Muscular and powerful, with a serious, full-bodied profile, it gives up incredible aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, licorice, graphite, beef blood and loamy earth. Like most 2010s at this stage, it’s backwards and dense, and needs to be forgotten for another couple of years. This beauty will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.Inc. VAT£1,466.46
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The flagship is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin, 75% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and the rest Counoise, brought up all in foudre. Blueberries, Peking duck, new saddle leather, black cherries, scorched earth, and an incredible sense of minerality all flow to a massive, concentrated, pure, perfectly balanced 2016 that is a prime example of the old saying, “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” It's a heavenly, perfect wine that's going to live for 30-50 years.In Bond£631.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
On another level, the brilliant 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin is just about all Mourvèdre (there are small amounts of Grenache, Syrah, and Counoise) brought up in a large foudre. It reveals a saturated purple color as well as a super-rich, blockbuster-styled bouquet of blackcurrants, blackberries, ground pepper, truffle, charcuterie, and God knows what else. With full-bodied richness, a stacked, opulent mid-palate, building tannins, and a sensational finish, it’s another perfect wine from this team and is unquestionably in the same realm as the 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2016. Give bottles 7-8 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 40-50 years.In Bond£560.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
I was questioning if the top cuvées were worth the money after tasting the traditional cuvée from winemaker Nicolas Boiron, then I tasted his 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape A La Gloire de Mon Grand-Père and decided that, yes indeed, the special cuvées in 2016 can certainly be worth the uptick in price. Based almost exclusively on Grenache (there’s a splash of Cinsault and Clairette) sourced from the La Gardiole lieu-dit and aged mostly in demi-muids, this heavenly beauty offers awesome notes of garrigue, toasted spices, flowers, licorice and loads of sweet Grenache fruit. Voluptuous, flamboyant, and sexy, yet also elegant and seamless, with a weightless texture, this is Grenache at its finest and is going to knock your socks off over the coming 10-15 years.In Bond£332.00 -
Wine Advocate (97-99)
I was blown away by the prodigious fruit in the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes. Quantities are only maybe half of the 2016, so you can imagine how concentrated and rich this baby is. Waves of raspberry and cherry fruit are seductive on the nose, then crash over the palate with a tsunami of concentration and power. If time in the cellar can coax some additional elegance out of the wine, it could be a candidate for perfection.In Bond£253.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The deepest colored of the trio and a true “Wow” wine, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Folie is 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that was completely destemmed and brought up 10% new barrels, with the balance in demi-muids. An insane bouquet of black cherry liqueur, blackberries, crushed rocks, and pepper garrigue gives way to a full-bodied, incredibly polished, seamless Grenache. This beauty does everything right and possesses a vibrant, sexy texture, no hard edges, and a blockbuster finish. It will most likely merit a triple-digit score in a few years and cruise for a decade or more.In Bond£450.00 -
(6x75cl) 2016
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The sensational 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac comes from a sandy clay terroir located in the western portion of the appellation. A massive, deep, full-bodied wine, with a huge nose of blueberry liqueur, crushed rock, violets, and garrigue, it has no hard edges, a thick, unctuous texture, sweet tannin, and a finish that just won’t quit. It’s the greatest vintage of this wine ever made (surpassing the 2007) and will be a candidate for perfection in a few years and keep for 15-20 years.In Bond£330.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac is brilliant and up there with some of the finest vintages to date of this cuvée. Based all on Grenache from a single lieu-dit in the southwest of the appellation called the Barbe d'Asne and brought up in concrete tanks, it offers up a gorgeous nose of kirsch liqueur, ground pepper, garrigue, and graphite. Deep, rich, and powerful on the palate, with tons of sweet fruit, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades or more.In Bond£312.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
I’d put the 2018 Châteauneuf du Barbe Rac up against anything in this vintage. Coming from 100% Grenache brought up all in concrete, it reveals a deeper purple/ruby color as well as awesome notes of red and blue fruits, ground pepper, iodine, spring flowers, and a touch of gamey meat. Possessing more depth and concentration than most, it’s full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, silky tannins, and a big, big finish. I already like it today, but I suspect it will be even better with 1-3 years of bottle age, and it should keep for 15 years or more.In Bond£317.00 -
Vinous (98)
Having followed the 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve from barrel and tasted it several times in bottle, this tasting reaffirmed it as a hallmark Rayas, arguably the finest during the late Emmanuel Reynaud's stewardship of the domaine. The nose is quintessential Rayas: an exuberant burst of kirsch layered with stemmy nuances, dried rosemary, sage and a medley of dried red fruits. On the full-bodied palate it shows energy and concentration in a seamless frame of silky tannins, which are remarkably refined within the context of a vintage otherwise marked by edgier textures. The finale is long, spicy and superbly poised with effortless balance. Slowly entering its prime drinking window, the 2005 Rayas promises at least two more decades of pleasure. This bottle was opened six hours in advance without decanting.Inc. VAT£1,899.60 -
Wine Spectator (96)
Lots of taut sinew here supporting the beam of black cherry, plum, tar and mineral flavors, with sweet earth, tobacco and cocoa powder on the finish. This wine has gotten progressively bigger over time and still seems in its ascendancy. Terrific focus and purity.--1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape retrospective. Drink now through 2020. 8,330 cases made. -JMInc. VAT£420.00 -
(12x75cl) 2006
Vinous - Josh Raynolds (94-97)
Foudre #1 (the fine one, according to Avril): Bright red. Intense strawberry and raspberry on the nose, with subtle garrigue and minerals adding complexity. Silky red fruit flavors show seductive spice and floral pastille qualities. Finishes with great persistence. Foudre #2 (the tannic one): Ruby-red. Bright red fruit aromas, with a deep undercurrent of licorice adding seriousness. The palate shows very spicy bitter cherry and dark berry liqueur flavors, chewy tannic grip and a long, vibrant finish. If this is Avril's idea of tannic in 2006, the final wine should be a supple beauty. Foudre #3 (the concentrated one, from 80-year-old vines cropped at15 hl/ha): Inky ruby. Rich cherry and cassis aromas, with a deep tapenade quality adding complexity. Sappy, sweet and packing major dark berry punch, this clocks in at 16.5% alcohol, but there's no obvious heat. An approximate blend: I hate doing this, but why not, said Avril, who doesn't believe that on-the-spot blends are accurate reflections of what winds up in the bottle. But this was his idea, not mine! Dark ruby. Powerful kirsch and blackcurrant aromas, with exotic licorice and fresh floral character expanding with air. Pliant dark berry and bitter cherry flavors carry through the long, sappy finish. A balanced, sweet powerhouse from this vantage point, with the concentration to age for at least a decade or two.In Bond£983.00 -
(12x75cl) 2007
Wine Advocate (100)
One of the great vintages from this estate, surpassing even the 1990, 2000, 2001, 2003, and maybe the 2010 (time will tell with this one), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape from Vincent Avril delivers everything you could want from a wine. Full-bodied, intense and beautifully concentrated, with plenty of muscle and depth, it shows the hallmark elegance and purity of the estate, with sensational notes of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, incense, smoked meats and Asian spices. The blend is the normal 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, brought up all in older foudre, and it's just now entering its prime drink window and has another two decades of longevity.In Bond£1,990.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
One of the great vintages from this estate, surpassing even the 1990, 2000, 2001, 2003, and maybe the 2010 (time will tell with this one), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape from Vincent Avril delivers everything you could want from a wine. Full-bodied, intense and beautifully concentrated, with plenty of muscle and depth, it shows the hallmark elegance and purity of the estate, with sensational notes of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, incense, smoked meats and Asian spices. The blend is the normal 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, brought up all in older foudre, and it's just now entering its prime drink window and has another two decades of longevity.In Bond£1,437.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Dusty, dried spice nose with lots of energy. Lovely sweetness and fluidity. Already fun to drink with an edge of animal but no suggestion of brett. Very clean and fruity and sweet. Transparent. Already lovely. And somehow it seems refreshing.In Bond£606.00 -
(12x75cl) 2014
Decanter (95)
Paul and Vincent Avril, a father and son team, established themselves as one of the finest producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being predominantly Grenache, it is reminiscent of an elegant northern Rhône Syrah with the texture of a Pinot. With a medium bodied intensity, it has a beautiful red fruit expression with some savoury notes. Harmony, finesse and elegance are probably the three words that best describe this beauty. One for the cellar.In Bond£588.00 -
(6x75cl) 2014
Decanter (95)
Paul and Vincent Avril, a father and son team, established themselves as one of the finest producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being predominantly Grenache, it is reminiscent of an elegant northern Rhône Syrah with the texture of a Pinot. With a medium bodied intensity, it has a beautiful red fruit expression with some savoury notes. Harmony, finesse and elegance are probably the three words that best describe this beauty. One for the cellar.In Bond£331.00 -
Wine Spectator (98)
This offers a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that hold center stage but still allow notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this should cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040. 6,000 cases made.In Bond£523.00 -
Wine Spectator (98)
This offers a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that hold center stage but still allow notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this should cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040. 6,000 cases made.In Bond£491.00 -
(12x75cl) 2016
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!In Bond£1,075.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!In Bond£718.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!In Bond£1,422.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah brought up all in old foudre, this beauty's deep purple color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless is as graceful as a ballerina on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a silky, seamless texture, and a finish that just won't quit. Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!In Bond£550.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
One of the strongest wines in the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Vincent Avril. This beauty has everything you could ask for. As with the 2018, the blend is heavily shifted toward Mourvèdre, and it offers a mammoth bouquet of black cherries, graphite, cured meats, Asian spices, and assorted garrigue-like nuances. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays straight and focused on the palate (whereas the 2016 is more expansive and voluptuous), with a stacked mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, and fabulous length. You’re going to want bottles of this in the cellar, and comparing the 2007, 2010, 2016, and 2017 over the coming two decades is going to be a treat.In Bond£729.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
One of the strongest wines in the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Vincent Avril. This beauty has everything you could ask for. As with the 2018, the blend is heavily shifted toward Mourvèdre, and it offers a mammoth bouquet of black cherries, graphite, cured meats, Asian spices, and assorted garrigue-like nuances. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays straight and focused on the palate (whereas the 2016 is more expansive and voluptuous), with a stacked mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, and fabulous length. You’re going to want bottles of this in the cellar, and comparing the 2007, 2010, 2016, and 2017 over the coming two decades is going to be a treat.In Bond£315.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
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.In Bond£293.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
A vintage that Avril is selling to restaurants as he thinks it's drinking beautifully (and I agree), the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc has superb freshness and minerality in its honeyed, hazelnut, licorice and stone fruit-driven bouquet. Layered, pure and balanced, with both freshness and richness, it will continue to evolve nicely, but there's no need to hold off.Inc. VAT£1,444.80 -
Vinous (94-95)
Vivid straw-yellow. Highly perfumed citrus and orchard fruit and floral qualities on the mineral-accented nose. Shows excellent concentration as well as vivacity, offering palate-staining pear, Meyer lemon and brioche flavors that stretch out steadily with air. The floral and mineral elements return emphatically on the intense, sharply focused finish, which lingers with serious persistence.In Bond£665.00 -
(6x75cl) 2013
Wine Advocate (95)
The cream of the lineup and one of the stars of the vintage is the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve le Clos du Caillou. Incorporating more Mourvèdre than normal (a blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Mourvèdre), this smokin’ southern Rhône sports a deep ruby/purple color to go with notes of blackcurrants, white pepper, orange liqueur and graphite. Big, full-bodied, supple and elegant, it’s certainly not as massive as some of the greats from this estate (2001, 2005, 2007 or 2010), but hats off to the team for producing a wine of this quality in a difficult vintage.In Bond£385.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94)
The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres is deeper and richer than the base cuvée and possesses terrific notes of black raspberries, blackberry jam, exotic flower, and orange blossom. Full-bodied, polished, elegant and gorgeously pure on the palate, with fine tannin, it's a killer wine. Made from 95% Grenache (the balance is Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Vaccarèse), it too has a decade and more of prime drinking.In Bond£350.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Deeper and richer, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus ex Machina has been nothing short of perfection on the 3-4 times I’ve been lucky enough to try it. Muscular and powerful, with a serious, full-bodied profile, it gives up incredible aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, licorice, graphite, beef blood and loamy earth. Like most 2010s at this stage, it’s backwards and dense, and needs to be forgotten for another couple of years. This beauty will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.In Bond£1,200.00
Chateauneuf du Pape is a large appellation and so it is difficult to make too many generalisations, styles and quality can differ greatly. The terroir is varied but it is the ‘galets ronds’ or ‘pudding stones’ that are so instantly recognisable. Hot, dry, and with Grenache being the prevalent grape out of 13 permitted varieties, the wines are voluptuous and rich with high alcohols.
