France · Rhône Valley

Clos des Papes

Clos des Papes is among Châteauneuf-du-Pape's most consistent and respected estates, owned by the Avril family for five generations and now run by Paul-Vincent Avril from approximately 32 hectares spread across multiple lieux-dits within the appellation. The red is a Grenache-dominant blend (roughly 65–70%) with Mourvèdre (20%), Syrah, and the rare Vaccarèse; the white unites Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Bourboulenc. Aging occurs in large foudres rather than new barrique, prioritizing terroir expression over oak flavor. The domaine's winemaking is traditional by instinct and meticulous by application: manual harvest, sorting table, native fermentations, minimal intervention. Robert Parker awarded 98 points to the 2010 rouge, establishing it as the domaine's modern landmark. The 2007, 2016, and 2019 are also highly regarded, each earning 95–97 points and driving secondary market premiums. At auction, Clos des Papes averages $105 per bottle across 239 lots, with a ceiling of $1,046 — attributable to large-format and exceptional-vintage bottles. The white is produced in smaller quantities than the red and commands similar per-bottle demand with lower auction frequency. The domaine's consistent scoring record across nearly 30 years of Avril stewardship has built one of the southern Rhône's most reliable secondary market profiles.