The 2021 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape is a distinguished red wine from the Southern Rhone region of France. This proprietary blend, produced by Clos des Papes, features Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, and other allowable varieties. The wine is notable for its 15.0% alcohol content and is sealed with a cork.
Professional reviewers have praised the 2021 vintage for its exceptional quality. Decanter awarded it 95 points, highlighting its "defined raspberry and redcurrant fruits" and "woody spices." The reviewer noted the wine's "rounded, fluid style" and its "gentle, sandy tannins," finishing with a "silky touch on the palate." Decanter also mentioned a reduced Grenache presence due to frost impacts.
Jeb Dunnuck also gave the wine a 95-point score, describing it as "one of the standouts in the vintage." He emphasized its "ripe, round, medium to full-bodied" nature and "beautiful array of black cherry and darker berry fruits." Dunnuck noted the wine's "wonderfully textured and balanced" profile and predicted it would evolve gracefully for over 15 years.
James Suckling awarded the wine 94 points, praising its "perfumed nose of cherries, dark berries, baking spices, violets, licorice, and some incense." He appreciated its "medium-bodied" nature with "finely grained tannins," noting its "great drinkability" and "juicy, precise finish."
Vinous also rated the wine 94 points, commenting on its "intermixing aromas of red and black fruits, dried herbs, white pepper, and crushed rocks." The reviewer found it "full-bodied, elegant," and "well-balanced by fresh acidity," with a "savory finish."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored the wine 95 points, citing its "cherries, raspberries, and truffles" on the nose and "ample concentration and length." The publication highlighted its "silky tannins" and "bright, pomegranate-like fruit."
Wine Spectator gave the highest score of 96 points, describing the wine as "elegant and approachable" with "seductive aromatics of smoked incense and red tea." The review noted its "fine-grained tannins" and "very long finish."
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com provided a detailed review, scoring the wine 95 points. He noted its "flowers, licorice, kirsch, black raspberries, underbrush, and peppery spices" and described it as "elegantly styled, refined, soft and supple." Leve mentioned the low production of 18 hectoliters per hectare due to hail and the wine's balanced 15.1% ABV.
Overall, the 2021 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape is well-received for its complexity, balance, and aging potential.