2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Clos des Papes, Paul Avril & Fils, Rhône

2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Clos des Papes, Paul Avril & Fils, Rhône

Product: 20121110490
 
2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Clos des Papes, Paul Avril & Fils, Rhône

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Description

Our 2012 Rhône Vintage Recommendation: Favourite Southern Rhône White
Managing to combine a rounded, smooth soft texture with a lightness of touch, this has attractive fresh almond notes on the nose followed by a spicy freshness with a citrus edge. There’s a long finish with crisp orange peel rounding off a full bodied wine very elegantly. Previous vintages we tried of this alongside suggest an impressive future: the 2007, 2005 and 2001 all drinking fabulously well at different stages of development.
Guy Davies, Wine Team

Big and ripe with notes of mature pear, frangipane and aniseed on the nose. Ripe fruit and saline notes on the palate, crisp and fresh, long, elegant and delicious. In its first flush of youth, this would be great with seafood.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager

The white is now almost as celebrated as the red. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picardin and Picpoul, the wine will rehearse its three ages with Shakespearean aplomb; forward orchard fruit in youth, petrolly oily power  in middle age  and then an elegiac honied dotage. All equally fascinating, equally delicious.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer

Just what is it that has made Clos des Papes the most sought-after address in this village? Vincent Avril has much to say, but the key parts of his exposition to me are exceptionally low yields, widely fragmented plots and a refusal to venerate Manon by introduction of a series of deluxe cuvées.  The wine is therefore the definitive statement of a village that is celebrated for blended complexity, deliciously ironic in a man who appears to have a distinctly Burgundian temperament… in a good sense, needless to say!


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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate94/100
Looking at Paul-Vincents Chateauneufs, and a rich, voluptuous example of this cuvee that possesses great acidity, the 2012 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc offers up ripe stone fruits, white currants, honeysuckle and licorice to go with a full-bodied, rich and powerful profile on the palate that somehow stays beautifully fresh and focused. Its a gorgeous wine that can be consumed in its fresh and vibrant youth, or cellared for a decade or two. Its a knockout white that should not be missed! Drink now-2032.
Jeb Dunnuck - 31/10/2013 Read more

About this WINE

Paul Avril et Fils

Paul Avril et Fils

With Vincent Avril at the helm, Clos des Papes is one of the most highly regarded properties; not only in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but in the world of wine. This family estate has been certified organic for 15 years, with high attention to detail translating into impressively low production levels. Given that the vines here average over 50 years of age, they are firmly prepared and able to withstand many ordeals, including Mistral winds at 140 kilometres an hour, severe heatwaves and drought conditions. Thankfully, they were spared from the latter two in 2020.

When you visit this iconic estate, what stands out most is the complete focus on the vineyard and the absolutely hands-off approach in the cellar. The wines are amongst the purest expression of terroir you could ever wish to taste. There is a magic here that transcends the liquid in the bottle – Clos des Papes is a nonpareil of sheer brilliance.

Vincent is exceptionally happy with his ’20 wines, saying, “I can tell you ’20 is, I think, a great year that will stand the test of time. A very balanced, fine vintage with great freshness, silky tannins and good length in the mouth. Everything was climatically united, both for the red and the white. Currently, ’20 reminds me of ’05 and ’07.”

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The most celebrated village of the Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the birthplace of the now indispensable French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée system – imperfect though it may be. Compared to the Northern Rhône, the vineyards here are relatively flat and often feature the iconic galet pebbles – the precise benefits of which are a source of much debate. Minimum alcohol levels required by the AOC are the highest in France, but at 12.5% it is well below the natural generosity of Grenache, which only achieves its full aromatic potential when it is fully ripe and laden with the resultant high sugars. Syrah and Mourvèdre contribute the other defining elements in the blend, adding pepper, savoury spice and structure to the decadent Grenache. There are a further 10 permitted red grape varieties which can be used to adjust the “seasoning”. Of the five white varieties permitted, it is Grenache Noir’s sibling – predictably perhaps – Grenache Blanc, which dominates, though Roussanne shows a great deal of promise when handled well, notably at Château de Beaucastel.

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White Rhône Blend

White Rhône Blend

With the exception of the wines from Condrieu and Château-Grillet virtually all Rhône Valley whites are made from blends.

In the north, the white wines of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, and St-Péray are produced from blends of Marsanne and Roussanne. Generally Marsanne is the dominant partner and it lends colour, body and weight to the blend, as well as richly scented fruit. Roussanne, a notoriously low yielder and pernickety to grow, produces intensely aromatic wines which contribute bouquet, delicacy and finesse to the blend.

Until about 15 years ago there was very little interest in southern Rhône whites as it was widely believed that the combination of dull non aromatic grapes and the baking summer heat meant quality wine production was nigh impossible. Since then the quality has improved markedly through the introduction of cool fermentation techniques and increased plantings of northern Rhône white grapes.

The base of many blends is still Grenache Blanc, a widely planted variety producing fresh wines with apple-like fruits, often with hints of aniseed. Ugni Blanc is still found in many blends, as is Clairette though their general lack of character and definition has led to a reduction in plantings. The future for southern Rhône whites appears to lie with Roussanne, Marsanne, and, increasingly, Viognier.

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