2013 Chateauneuf du Pape

From a difficult vintage, the 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is nevertheless upfront and charming, with a cool climate-like feel in its kirsch and darker berry fruits, spice, pepper, and mineral aromas and flavors. It opens up beautifully with time in the glass, is medium-bodied and elegant, and has plenty to love. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. Paul-Vincent Avril continues to be one of the most talented and passionate winemakers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape today. From his estate located on the southern end of the village and pulling from roughly 90 acres of vines spread throughout the appellation, he makes a single white and red Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has resisted the urge to produce any special cuvées. The wine is always a blend of 60% Grenache 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, aged all in older foudre in a temperature-controlled and humidified cellar. His Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a staunchly traditional and world-class wine that always shines for its elegance and texture. Time will tell, but my money is on his 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape being the greatest wine ever made at this address, although the 2007 from my cellar will give it a run for its money. Also, Vincent always pulls out older vintages during visits and I’ve included those wines here as well as few from my cellar.

His smallest vintage ever: 13 hl/ha. Transparent ruby. Closing up and a tad severe on the nose – even a little agricultural. Tannins in evidence and without much fruit in evidence at the moment. Wait! (JR)

Brilliant ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe red berries, incense, garrigue and smoky minerals convey a sexy Asian spice nuance in the background. Supple, seamless and alluringly sweet, offering intense black raspberry and floral pastille flavors that stain the palate. Smooth, seamless and concentrated but energetic as well, with velvety, slow-building tannins giving shape to a very long, spice- and mineral-accented finish.