Paul Avril Clos des Papes Blanc 2016

I always find the white from this terrific estate to be near the top of the hierarchy in terms of quality, yet it’s made in a very different style than the likes of Beaucastel’s Blanc or the old vine Clairette from St. Prefert (or the whites from Vaudieu), and is more fresh, crisp and pure. Even from a hot vintage, the 2016 Paul Avril Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc offers a beautiful crispness as well as terrific aromatics of caramelized citrus, spice and apple core. Clean, vibrant and yet also concentrated, it’s certainly enjoyable today, yet won’t hit maturity until 7-8 years and will keep for a decade or more after that.