2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes Paul Avril et Fils

Vincent Avril flirts once again with perfection and the flirtation, with each passing year, seems to get more and more serious. Harmony is all; the union between the Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre is strong, with an innate richness ceremoniously fêted by silky tannins.Paul Avril et Fils

I believe the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is the greatest Clos des Papes I have ever tasted! The 2007 reveals all the characteristics that make Clos des Papes so special, including extraordinary elegance, remarkable complexity in the black raspberry, kirsch, truffle, meaty, Provencal herbaceousness, full-bodied palate, voluptuous, silky tannins, and mind-boggling richness and length...The vintage’s cool growing conditions have given the wine a freshness to go along with its substantial size and power. This monumental Chateauneuf is a tour de force in winemaking. It should evolve along the lines of the 1978, only the 2007 has more to it, so expect it to last at least 30 years. Not to be missed!
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Oct 08)