Domaine Clos des Papes Paul Avril Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2014

Robert Parker : 93 points
"Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste Vincent’s 2015 from foudre, but his 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape is certainly one of the wines of the vintage. And while it possesses terrific notes of peppery herbs, Provençal spice, kirsch and darker berry fruits, it’s on the palate where this beauty shines! Medium to full-bodied, incredibly balanced, seamless and pure, with beautiful fruit, it has present tannin, terrific mid-palate depth and a great finish. It won’t be the longest lived wine from the estate, but it’s beautiful and will certainly drink well for a decade."

Stephen Tanzer : 93-95 points
"Deep ruby. Highly perfumed scents of candied dark berries, cola and lavender oil develop a suave, smoky Indian spice nuance. Fleshy, expansive red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors display an impressive blend of richness and energy, picking up a mineral flourish with air. Finishes juicy, sweet and very long, displaying lingering, spice-tinged dark fruit flavors and slow-building tannins.