Clos des Papes 2011 CDP
Fresh and focused blackberry and plummy nose, which is precise and elegant. Thereafter, some evident secondary tones, that of bready, new leather, pungent slight barnyard, bonfire, chocolates. A long and palate with great acidity, there are some tannins throughout the elegant palate(don't feel much the heat). Drinking very well now after 7 years.
Extreme low yield, which is around 20hl/ha(AOC generally not above 50/hl), is considered the key reason for the concentration and elegance of the wine. Also blending from 24 different parcels of 32ha vineyards contributes significantly to the inherent complexity. This 2011 Clos des Papes is the first year of "agriculture biologique", though their vineyards have been managed by the natural way since the beginning. The intensity with structure is probably from the 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 5% others(see Parker et. al.) along with the 65% cool Grenache.
The wine obtains high rating by WA and WS constantly, especially matured vintages have premium value in the market and at the auction. This 2011 has lots of character and has been well-commented.
96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate One of the stars of the vintage and coming from absurdly low yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape is a full-bodied, seamless effort that exhibits copious kirsch, ground pepper, dried flowers and underbrush as well as incredibly fine tannin, great mid-palate concentration and ample length on the finish. Relatively forward by this estate’s standards, it will be approachable at an earlier age than normal. Nevertheless, it will have 20+ years of evolution and is an awesome effort in the vintage. Drink 2015-2030. One of the benchmark estates, Clos des Papes covers close to 90 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape and is run by the incredibly talented Paul-Vincent Avril. Favoring a single cuvee, his Chateauneuf du Pape is always a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre 10% Syrah and the rest a mix of Vaccarese, Counoise and Muscardin. No new oak is used in the winery and all new barrels and foudre see three vintages of his non-vintage Le Petit Vin d’Avril before being used for his grand vin. (JD) (10/2013)
95 points Wine Spectator Delivers a beautifully pure and velvety note of cassis that holds sway over an ample range of blackberry paste, blood orange, singed apple wood and bergamot notes. The long finish shows succulent flesh and a buried iron accent. The grip is integrated, the acidity mouthwatering and the depth impressive for the vintage. Best from 2015 through 2030. (JM) (11/2013)
