Clos des Papes Petit Vin Avril Rouge
Clos des Papes Petit d’Avril Rouge is a Vin de France from the southern Rhône crafted by Clos des Papes. This cuvée brings together Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. It originates from small parcels located just outside the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation area, which explains its classification as Vin de France. Part of the wine is aged for one year in foudres.
Identité du vin
- Couleur
- Red
- Pays
- France
- Région
- Rhone
- Producteur / Domaine
- Clos des Papes
- Cuvée
- Petit d'Avril
Cépage et assemblage
- Grape Variety
- Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
Clos des Papes
Le Clos des Papes is a family-run estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, managed by Paul-Vincent Avril. Its vineyard, spread across approximately 40 hectares of plots situated within and on the outskirts of the appellation, produces red and white wines. The Avril family has long been established in the village and has been marketing its wine under the name Clos des Papes since 1896.
- Owner
- Paul-Vincent Avril
- Maître de chais
- Paul-Vincent Avril
- Surface (ha)
- 40.00 ha
- Production (average bottles per vintage)
- environ 80 000 bouteilles/an
Histoire du domaine
The history of Clos des Papes is linked to the Avril family, whose involvement in wine-making in Châteauneuf-du-Pape has been documented since the 17th century. The original plot of the Clos was part of the Château de Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The vineyard was affected by phylloxera in 1865, and fruit trees were temporarily planted there whilst the vines were being replanted. In 1896, Paul-Eugène Avril marketed a Mourvèdre wine under the name Clos des Papes. The Clos des Papes trademark was registered in 1902. Paul-Eugène Avril played a part in the efforts that led to the definition and subsequent recognition of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. His son Régis, and later his grandson Paul Avril, continued the family business; Paul joined the estate in 1963. Paul-Vincent Avril returned to work at the estate in the late 1980s, following his training and various professional experiences, notably in Burgundy and at Château Mouton Rothschild. Following Paul Avril’s death in 2009, he took over the management of Clos des Papes. He is now responsible for the estate and the winemaking; the estate is certified as organic by Ecocert.
Petit d'Avril
Le Petit Vin d’Avril is a distinct cuvée marketed by Paul Avril–Clos des Papes, notably as a red wine under the Vin de France designation. It is based on a blend of several grape varieties and may incorporate wines from successive harvests. It differs from the estate's Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines by its non-appellation or declassified origin and by an expression that is more immediately accessible.
- Style of the cuvée
- A generally fruity, indulgent and supple wine, with a present but less austere structure and intended for earlier consumption than the estate's red Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
- Position within the range
- More accessible Vin de France cuvée, positioned as a complement to the estate's red and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Histoire de la cuvée
The cuvée is documented as a wine complementary to the red and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape of Clos des Papes. Professional sources associate it with vines located outside the appellation limits or with declassified lots, but no verifiable creation date has been found.
