Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape 2017

Jeff Leve: On the nose you find a spicy blend of dark cherries, strawberry, Asian spice, cloves and licorice. On the palate, the wine soft, elegant, fresh and juicy, with sweet, peppery kirsch in the finish. The wine is a blend of 45% Grenache , 40% Mourvedre , 10% Syrah and the remaining 5% consists of various, allowable grape varieties. The grapes are as always 100% destemmed. The production is quite low this year at only 15 hectoliters per hectare. 97/100

Robert Parker: As predicted last year by Paul-Vincent Avril, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 45% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, about 10% Syrah and the rest other permitted varieties. It boasts a cool, fresh nose of strawberries, cola and tree bark, yet it's full-bodied and tannic on the palate. Dense and chewy, albeit with a mouthwatering sense of freshness, this will need a few years to relax and unwind, but it looks very promising. 96/100

James Suckling: Plenty of ripe blackberries, cassis, licorice and dark cherries on the nose with dried herb undertones. Full-bodied with firm tannins. Structured with a rich and fruity character on the palate. Layered and concentrated with bright acidity. Flavorful chewy finish. Drink from 2023. 94/100

Jancis Robinson: Rich and thick on the nose, but still retains that all-important lightness of touch on the palate. Much more fruit than the 2010. Soy and blackcurrant on the finish, rounded and fragrant with lovely violet length. Substance with silkiness. 17,5/20