2020 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape

Other Reviews....
Tasted recently and as remarkable as ever, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Clos des Papes, derived from a Mediterranean summer without excess or hydric stress, wafts from the glass with superb aromas of dark berries, violet, lilac, dark cherries and crushed flowers. Full-bodied, seamless and layered, it has a fleshy, enveloping core of fruit framed by velvety, filigreed tannins, concluding with a long, ethereal finish. A deeply identity-driven Clos des Papes of remarkable overall precision, it stands as one of the summits of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation in this vintage. Drink 2026-2050.
100 points
Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape showed brilliantly and is certainly one of the stars in the vintage. Based on 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and the rest Syrah and other permitted varieties, it shines for its elegance and purity, offering a wonderful core of red and black fruits, medium to full body, silky, incredibly polished tannins, flawless balance, and already complex notes of flowers, sappy garrigue, Provençal spice. It has the estate's incredible ability to bring wonderful intensity and richness while staying graceful and seamless. It reminds me slightly of the 2012, possibly the 2006, and while it already offers pleasure, it will evolve for 20+ years in cold cellars. Drink: 2022-2044.
96 points
Jeb Dunnuck

Beguiling, with a plume of black tea and incense leading off, followed by black cherry reduction, cassis, melted black licorice, warm earth, singed tobacco and garrigue accents. Offers breadth and depth with a seamless feel, capped by a subtle mineral edge that lingers lengthily amid the beautiful fruit. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2040.
97 points
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

A very Clos des Papes vintage,' says Vincent Avril, and I know what he means - a vintage that naturally delivers the kind of fresh, elegant wines that this estate is famous for. A tasting of several foudres point to a wine with natural, easy balance. The Mourvèdre is excellent here this year, and adds great depth to the fresh and delightful Grenache that has notes of black tea, black cherry and iron. Elegant and very fine. Drink: 2023-2042.
98 points
Matt Walls - Decanter