Winemaker Notes: The 2021 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge offers a great array of bright red fruit notes, thanks to the cooler nights in the summer of the growing season, along with a solid backbone of dark fruit and black olive the low yield and increased percentage of Mourvedre contribute. As always, Clos des Papes’ rouge delivers a full tannic structure that, again, thanks to the Mourvedre, does not overpower the palate, but glides to the back of the palate with the bright red fruit and spice and then washes back to the front with grip and notes of tobacco and leather.

Blend: 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah

Press Reviews

94JAMES SUCKLING

A perfumed nose of cherries, dark berries, baking spices, violets, licorice and some incense as well. It’s medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. It’s well-balanced with finesse and harmony. Crunchy and fresh with a velvety texture and great drinkability. Juicy, precise finish with excellent length. Drink or hold.

95WINE ADVOCATE

Cherries, raspberries and truffles appear on the nose of the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape, which weighs in at 15.1% alcohol. Showing ample concentration and length, this medium to full-bodied effort isn’t quite as well endowed as the 2022, but it’s still a gorgeous wine, framed by silky tannins and finishing with bright, pomegranate-like fruit.

95JEB DUNNUCK

One of the standouts in the vintage is the 2021 Chteauneuf Du Pape, a ripe, round, medium to full-bodied 2021 offering a beautiful array of black cherry and darker berry fruits, ample Provenal spice, and dried flower nuances. Wonderfully textured and balanced, with ripe tannins, as usual, Vincent has made one of the wines of the vintage. This will evolve gracefully for 15+ years.