2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
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Tasting notes
Given this vintages overall scorching heat, it’s amazing how fresh and vibrant the 2003 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc tastes. Showing fresh, clean aromas of lemon rind, flower oil, subtle green almond, and big mineral characteristics, the wine is medium-bodied on the palate with juicy acidity, an overall supple, balanced profile, and plenty of length on the finish. Solid all the way, this is drinking beautifully and should continue to age effortlessly for at least another decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Deep yellow. Exotic nose offers intense notes of dried apricot, pear, peach and floral honey. Fat and dense in the mouth, with deep, sappy, powerful flavors of dried orchard fruits. Creamy and full but also fresh on the back. "You should decant this for 30 minutes and not serve it too cold; it's definitely not an aperitif," notes Avril.
A top effort, the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc exhibits wonderful notes of poached pears intermixed with citrus oil and white flowers. There is no malolactic fermentation, resulting in good underlying acidity to balance out the relatively high alcohol and full-bodied style. It should drink well for 2-3 years, but I have been fooled in the past by the white Clos des Pape, and they often age far longer than I predict. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
About the producer
Few estates have shaped the identity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape quite like Clos des Papes. For generations, the Avril family has remained devoted to a single benchmark cuvée, crafted from more than twenty vineyard parcels to express the appellation at its finest.
Product details
Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc / Garnacha Blanca, Clairette
White
Dry