The 2021 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge offers a great array of bright red fruit notes, thanks to the cooler nights in the summer of the growing season, along with a solid backbone of dark fruit and black olive the low yield and increased percentage of Mourvedre contribute. As always, Clos des Papes' rouge delivers a full tannic structure that, again, thanks to the Mourvedre, does not overpower the palate, but glides to the back of the palate with the bright red fruit and spice and then washes back to the front with grip and notes of tobacco and leather.

Blend: 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah

"Elegant and approachable, this stunning red offers seductive aromatics of smoked incense and red tea, with floral high notes, followed by a well of cassis, licorice and red currant flavors coated in graphite. Dusty in feel, with fine-grained tannins bringing structure and textural complexity, while an iron element lingers on the very long finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre." 96 Points Wine Spectator