Despite a hailstorm that destroyed approximately one-third of the crop this year, Paul-Vincent Avril managed to produce a wine with the same grape proportions as in previous years, thanks to his vineyard`s diverse and fragmented nature. So, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos des Papes reveals a delicate, aromatic bouquet of peony, gooseberry, lilac, flowers and cherries mingled with delicate notes of fennel and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, sappy and layered, it`s perfectly textured with velvety, delicate tannins enhanced by bright acids and a long, ethereal finish. Although the Mourvedre is slightly dominant at this stage, this wine is unquestionably poised for great aging potential. 97 points