1999 Paul Avril Clos des Papes CdP Rouge
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Tasting notes
Earthy, mushroomy and developed, with something dank that is evocative of attics and dust. Finely milled tannins with soft tannins and a charming milk-chocolate character on the finish. Still has a very indicative garrigue herbiness on the palate which makes this rhône rather than burgundy. Elegant and mature, with a lovely edge of petrichor. (RH)
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
A solid step up over the '98, the Close des Papes 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape (one of Paul-Vincent's favorites) offers a more youthful color to go with Burgundian notes of spice, dried flowers, black cherries and licorice. More fresh and lively, with medium to full-bodied richness, it has a youthful feel and has another decade of longevity.
NB vintage. Dark ruby with a little evolution. Avril thinks 2011 better than 1999. Medium intensity of a gamey nose. Not the richness of the 2006 tasted just beforehand. A little dry on the finish. Not that charming honestly. Quite severe. Dry finish demands careful food matching and decant it! A little lighter than most. (JR)
About the producer
Few estates have shaped the identity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape quite like Clos des Papes. For generations, the Avril family has remained devoted to a single benchmark cuvée, crafted from more than twenty vineyard parcels to express the appellation at its finest.