Chateauneuf du Pape Clos des Papes 1995

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1995 is a full-bodied, blended red 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. On the 1995 rouge. "From a hot year - with rain at harvest - that benefited later-picking estates, the 1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is still impressively young and vibrant, with a solid kick of tannin. Possessing a masculine edge to its liquorice, smoked meats, peppery herbs and both red and black fruits, it`s medium to full-bodied, concentrated and a little edgy on the palate, with plenty of similarities to the 2005. It certainly has another decade of longevity, but the tannin will be something to watch. I`ve had more ready to go bottles from my cellar and certainly see no reason to hold off here." Wine Advocate, 2015