The 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos des Papes is exquisite, wafting from the glass with a captivating bouquet of sweet red berries, iris, dark cherries, menthol, blood orange and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and textured, it’s denser than usual, with a more pronounced structure and a lovely, fleshy core of fruit. Concluding with an ethereal, saline and weightless finish, this is a strong candidate for wine of the vintage - one that should evolve with grace over the coming years to attain a likely perfect score. Clos des Papes stands as a benchmark estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It was founded under its current name in 1896 by Paul Avril and is today directed by Paul-Vincent Avril. Rather than pursuing innovation for its own sake, the domaine has refined traditional practices with quiet rigor and unwavering fidelity to terroir. (YC) 99+