Critics Ratings

‘One of the great vintages from this estate, surpassing even the 1990, 2000, 2001, 2003, and maybe the 2010 (time will tell with this one), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape from Vincent Avril delivers everything you could want from a wine. Full-bodied, intense and beautifully concentrated, with plenty of muscle and depth, it shows the hallmark elegance and purity of the estate, with sensational notes of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, incense, smoked meats and Asian spices. The blend is the normal 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, brought up all in older foudre, and it's just now entering its prime drink window and has another two decades of longevity. Drink 2016 - 2037.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 100/100 (Feb 2017)

''Top 5 Grenache buys in the world.' Another truly outstanding vintage. Stunning Quality, very rich & high in alcohol, but such a wonderful elegance & freshness which it sets apart. Exceptional length on the palate gives all the evidence you need of a great clos des pape. 2015-2030.' - Decanter

'The 2007 reveals all the characteristics that make Clos des Papes so special, including extraordinary elegance, remarkable complexity in the black raspberry, kirsch, truffle, meaty, Provencal herbaceousness, full-bodied palate, voluptuous, silky tannins, and mind-boggling richness and length. Nothing is out of place, and there are no hard edges in this beautiful Chateauneuf du Pape. The vintage’s cool growing conditions have given the wine a freshness to go along with its substantial size and power. This monumental Chateauneuf is a tour de force in winemaking. It should be relatively accessible in 3-4 years, and evolve along the lines of the 1978, only the 2007 has more to it, so expect it to last at least 30 years. Not to be missed!' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 98-100/100 (Oct 2008)

‘Absolutely stunning, with a deep well of crème de cassis that's thoroughly pure and captivating, while black tea, fig cake, hoisin sauce, incense and graphite notes weave throughout. The supervelvety finish lets blackberry, boysenberry and crushed cherry fruit take an encore—as if this needed any more fruit. A fantastic display of precision in a very opulent year. Best from 2010 through 2030.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 97/100 (Oct 2009)

‘Strong, ripe purple fruits plus a hint of gaminess on the nose. Great beautiful richness on the palate. Sumptuous and glorious but not hot. 25 hl/ha – wonderful supple tannins. Great directions. Probably best decanted. But much more evolved than 2005, for example.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 19.5/20 (Oct 2014)

‘Deep ruby. Powerful, pungent aromas of kirsch, dark berries, smoky herbs and spicecake, with notes of black olive and tobacco coming on with air. Chewy, palate-staining dark fruit flavors are complicated by bitter chocolate, licorice and black cardamom. Acts like a 2005 today, with serious structure but also superb depth of powerful, densely packed fruit. A hint of cherry skin adds grip and refreshing bitterness to the long, smoky, focused finish. Not an easy read right now: this demands cellaring.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 95+/100 (Jan 2010)

Provenance

Private Client