A rare, sophisticated and remarkably age-worthy white Châteauneuf-du-Pape from one of the appellation’s benchmark estates.
The 2024 Clos des Papes Blanc combines the generosity of the Southern Rhône with exceptional freshness and mineral tension. White peach, pear and citrus are layered with flowers, Mediterranean herbs, almond and subtle anise, leading to a beautifully textured palate and a long, chalky, saline finish.
Rich without heaviness and powerful without sacrificing precision, this is a serious gastronomic white with tremendous personality.
Region: Southern Rhône Valley, France
Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Vintage: 2024
Producer: Clos des Papes – Paul-Vincent Avril
Grapes: Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul & Picardan
Alcohol: Approximately 14% ABV
Vinification: Temperature-controlled fermentation; no malolactic fermentation
Aging: On the lees in tank
Style: Full-Bodied Dry White Wine
The six traditional white varieties each contribute something different to the final wine: richness and body, floral perfume, citrus freshness, acidity, texture and aromatic complexity.
Rather than relying on oak for richness, Clos des Papes builds complexity through the vineyard, the blend and extended contact with the lees.
Nose:
Beautifully complex, with white peach, ripe pear and lemon joined by white flowers, almond, anise and delicate Mediterranean herbs. With air, subtle mineral and savory notes begin to emerge.
Palate:
Generous and beautifully textured, with ripe stone fruit and citrus forming a rich core. Vibrant acidity provides freshness and tension, while subtle herbal, almond and mineral characteristics add considerable complexity.
Structure:
Medium to full-bodied, broad and concentrated yet remarkably energetic. The richness of the fruit is balanced by excellent acidity and a distinctive mineral tension.
Finish:
Long, mouthwatering and slightly chalky, with lemon, almond, subtle anise and an appealing saline character lingering beautifully on the palate.
Clos des Papes Blanc is one of the great white wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and represents only a small portion of the estate’s production.
Rather than focusing on a single dominant grape variety, Paul-Vincent Avril brings together six traditional white Rhône varieties, creating a wine whose complexity comes from the interaction between the different grapes and vineyard parcels.
The wine undergoes no malolactic fermentation, preserving acidity and freshness, while ageing on the lees provides texture and additional complexity.
The result is a fascinating contrast: a white wine with the generosity and concentration expected from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, yet possessing remarkable freshness, mineral tension and salinity.
The 2024 is particularly impressive for this balance. It is delicious in its youth but possesses the structure and concentration to become considerably more complex with bottle age.
The 2024 vintage has produced an especially fresh and energetic expression of Clos des Papes Blanc.
White peach, pear and citrus dominate the youthful fruit profile, complemented by floral, herbal and almond notes.
The palate has impressive richness and concentration, but the vintage's freshness sets it apart. A chalky mineral character and persistent salinity give the wine excellent definition and prevent its natural Southern Rhône generosity from becoming heavy.
This combination should make 2024 particularly fascinating as it develops in bottle.
Drink now – 2040+
Clos des Papes Blanc offers two very different experiences, depending on when you open it.
Young: expect vibrant citrus, pear, peach, flowers, herbs and pronounced mineral freshness.
With bottle age: the wine should become broader and more savory, developing notes of toasted almond, beeswax, dried citrus, honey, herbs and roasted nuts, while retaining its characteristic freshness and salinity.
For drinking young, I recommend opening the bottle 30–60 minutes before serving.
Serving Temperature: 11–13°C
Avoid serving too cold. This complex white wine becomes considerably more expressive as it warms slightly in the glass.
Clos des Papes Blanc has enough richness and structure to accompany dishes normally considered too substantial for many white wines.
Excellent with:
Osetra Caviar · Lobster · Langoustines · King Crab · Scallops · Turbot · Dover Sole · Sea Bass · Bouillabaisse · Roast Chicken · Veal · Foie Gras · Morel Mushrooms · Truffle · Aged Comté
Pair with butter-poached lobster or roasted turbot with beurre blanc.
The richness of the dish mirrors the texture of the wine, while its citrus freshness and saline finish keep the pairing elegant and balanced.
For something particularly luxurious, try Osetra caviar. The wine has enough weight to stand alongside the richness of the caviar, while its mineral and saline qualities create a beautiful continuation of the caviar’s maritime character.
With several years of bottle age, I would move toward roast chicken with morels or veal with a delicate truffle sauce, allowing the wine’s developing almond, savory, and earthy characteristics to become part of the pairing.
