The 2016 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape is an exemplary wine from the Southern Rhone region of France, produced by the esteemed Clos des Papes winery. This proprietary blend, composed of primarily Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, boasts a robust 15.5% alcohol content and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this vintage an impressive score of 97, with Joe Czerwinski describing it as "full-bodied but balanced, with plenty of richness and concentration but also a certain paradoxical lightness." He notes the complex garrigue and anise notes, along with a "blend of cherry and raspberry fruit," and praises its silky texture and long finish. Czerwinski highlights the wine's balanced pH of 3.7, indicating sufficient acidity that contributes to its fine sense of balance, and suggests it will drink well for at least two decades.
Jeb Dunnuck, from jebdunnuck.com, gave the 2016 Chateauneuf-du-Pape a perfect score of 100, likening it to the "otherworldly 2007." He describes the wine's deep purple color and "mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black currants, blueberries, Asian spices, and garrigue." Dunnuck emphasizes the wine's full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful nature, yet notes its graceful palate with "ultra-fine tannins" and a "silky, seamless texture." He concludes with admiration, stating, "Hats off to vigneron Paul-Vincent Avril!"
Decanter also rates this wine highly with a score of 98, noting that while yields are typically low at Clos des Papes, 2016 was the biggest harvest since 2007. The review describes the wine as "aromatically harmonious, bright and detailed," and highlights its powerful tannic and acidic framework, balanced by a sublime freshness and long finish.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also awarded a perfect score of 100, noting the wine's complexity with "spicy cherries, flowers, pepper, herbs, and kirsch." He praises its "full-bodied, rich, concentrated and luxurious texture," and describes the layers of cherry, plum, and kirsch as "endless" with a "beautiful purity and intensity."
Wine Spectator's James Molesworth rated it 97, describing it as "very youthful and tightly focused" with notes of "cassis, cherry preserve, and raspberry pâte de fruit." He highlights the wine's "solid grip and drive through the finish due to a buried graphite element" and predicts it will age gracefully, recommending it be enjoyed from 2022 through 2040.
In summary, the 2016 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its balance, complexity, and aging potential. Each reviewer highlights its unique qualities, making it a standout vintage that should not be missed.
