Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Clos des Papes 2019

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Clos des Papes is an intense, elegant wine with a sunny, Mediterranean profile. It is a small production, born in a legendary Appellation, known above all for great red wines. Within the vineyard area of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, white grapes make up no more than 10%, yet the wines represent a true excellence of the territory, thanks to an aromatically rich profile and a characteristic savoury note. The Domaine Clos de Pas manages an extraordinary estate and thanks to centuries of experience, it still produces some of the best labels in the appellation, especially famous for their extraordinary finesse.

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc wine comes from one of the most prestigious domaine in this famous area of the lower Rhone valley. Clos des Papes has been managed for several generations by the Avril family and represents the historical memory of the area. The origins of the estate date back to the 16th century and the original nucleus of vineyards was part of the possessions of the ancient Château de Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Today, the estate covers some thirty hectares, with plots located in some of the best areas of the territory, in particular on the famous plateaus of 'galets roulés', formed by alluvial pebbles transported by the Rhone over the millennia. The vineyards are managed under organic farming methods. The wine is made from a blend of grapes from vines typical of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape area: Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Picpoul. After soft pressing of the grapes, the must ferments at a controlled temperature. Before bottling, it rests for several months on the fine lees in cement or stainless steel tanks.

The Blanc Clos des Papes is a top-of-the-range Châteauneuf-du-Pape, among the best labels in the appellation. The use of different varieties with complementary characteristics gives the wine an extraordinary harmony and complexity. To the eye, it is pale yellow with light golden reflections. The bouquet is intense and rich, with aromas of wild flowers, citrus fruits, white-fleshed fruit, hints of melon and pineapple. To the palate it is deep and savoury, with rich and satisfying aromas of ripe fruit, leading towards a long and very persistent finish. A great white, sunny and rich, which also has excellent ageing potential.