Chateauneuf du Pape Clos des Papes 1998

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998 is a mature blended white wine from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the southern Rhône Valley. Run by successive generations of the Avril family, Clos des Papes has a long and illustrious history of producing exceptional quality wine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In 1936 the Avril family was instrumental in the creation of the village appellation d`origin controlée - the first of its kind in France. Since 1988 Clos des Papes has been run by Paul-Vincent Avril, who maintains the property`s stellar reputation while producing just two wines. one red, one white. These wines are limited in quantity and always in high demand. "A hot vintage in the Rhone, good in the north but even better in the South, particularly in Châteauneuf. Very much plum in colour, this has aromas of spices, sweet earth and a touch of black cherry amongst the strawberry and plum fruits. It`s silky on the full-bodied palate, with sweet fruit and some gentle balsamic notes. It`s remarkably tannic still for its age, with good acidity, and even at nearly 20 years of age nothing is sticking out or ungainly - it displays impressive balance." Decanter, 2017