Citrusy and grapefruit-led thanks to the Bourboulenc. Touch of anise, touch of fennel, lovely acidity and freshness, with a gentle saline line. Generous but only just full-bodied, this shows liveliness and more depth than many white Châteauneufs this year. Long finish. No malolactic and no oak use.
97 points, Matt Walls, Decanter (Sep 2021)
From a great vintage for the whites (as well as the reds), the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc offers a classic, vibrant, medium-bodied style as well as lots of citrus and white grapefruit, a distinct, rocky, mineral character, good acidity, terrific overall balance, and a great finish. Give it a year and enjoy over the following two decades or more.
96 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Nov 2021)
Super fresh style, with fennel, lime, kiwi, white peach and honeysuckle notes all breezing through in unison and carried by lacy acidity through a well-detailed finish. This is approachable now for its brightness, but has the inner purity and sneaky length to age nicely as well. Drink now through 2032. 1,000 cases made, 50 cases imported.
96 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Dec 2021)
Clos des Papes has white varieties in only three of its 24 vineyard parcels, but the resulting wine is a blend of all permitted varieties, in roughly equal proportions. The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is outstanding, offering up scents of pineapple and tangerine, coupled with floral overtones. Full-bodied but clean and zesty, it's somehow plump and rich, but paradoxically light and refreshing. I enjoy these wines young, but proprietor Paul-Vincent Avril opened a still-delicious 2001 during this visit, so there is an argument to be made for aging this wine.
95 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (May 2022)
Round and elegant, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc bursts from the glass with lively aromas of honeysuckle, acacia, dried lemon and orange peel, white peach, mango and a pinch of fresh ginger. Full-bodied, oily-textured and concentrated, this is a delicious Clos des Papes Blanc. Already drinking splendidly today, it will provide pleasure over the next 10 years.
95 points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous (Jun 2023)
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