Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 1.5L

99 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Utterly classic Clos de Papes in every way, the 2010 Châteauneuf du Pape is still youthful and in its early adolescent phase, offering a beautiful mix of still pure, clean fruit and more peppery, spicy, leather, and complex Southern Rhône-like street market goodness. Rich and powerful on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced, has ripe, polished tannins, and a monster of a finish. It's just a beautiful, quintessential example of this First Growth-like estate in the South of France. (8/11/22)"

99 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape flirts with perfection. A classic blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, Vaccarese and Counoise, all aged in large foudres in Clos des Papes’s air-conditioned and humidity-controlled wine cellar, the wine boasts a dense purple color along with lots of gorgeously pure black raspberry, black currant and kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with notions of spring flowers, tapenade, licorice and spice box. This dense, full-bodied, powerful Chateauneuf is also remarkably fresh and well-delineated. It even exceeded the 2007 in natural alcohol, coming in at 15.9%. With an extraordinary texture and considerable tannin in the finish, it will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age, and is built for 25-30 years of cellaring. Don’t miss it! (10/30/12)"

98 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Unprompted, Paul-Vincent Avril pulled a 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape from the admirable library stock he maintains at Clos des Papes. Who was I to say no? A stupendous effort that seamlessly marries full-bodied richness with a sense of lightness and ease, it's really just now maturing, although it has been drinkable for some time. Leather accents raspberry and blackberry fruit on the nose, while the long, silky-textured finish adds delicate notes of star anise, peppery spice and black olive. This complex, elegant masterpiece should continue to drink well for another decade and then some. Drink: 2015-2035. (5/5/22)"

98 points/'#4 Top 100 Wines of 2012,' Wine Spectator: "Lots of cocoa powder and coffee frame a massive block of dark plum, black currant and fig fruit, while massively endowed tannins stride from start to finish. Cassis, anise and Lapsang souchong tea notes hang in the background for now, but should emerge more with extended cellaring. The very dark, almost brooding finish is dominated by charcoal-coated grip, but the purity still wins out in the end. A very, very large wine. Best from 2017 through 2035. (10/31/12)"

98 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Undoubtedly one of the greatest Châteauneuf vintages of recent times, up there with the 1990 - and perhaps the 2016; time will tell. It's deeply coloured still at seven years of age. Deep, dark and brooding on the nose, it's starting to take on some balsamic and forest floor notes. The palate is very harmonious, powerful and assertive, with firm, structural tannins. This is still very fresh, sinewy and tightly wound - it's not ready yet, but will be spectacular when it is. Drinking Window: 2020-2040. (10/15/17)"

96 points Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous): "The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a serious wine. I vividly remember tasting this red for the first time at the winery shortly after release. Like it did back then, it leaves quite an impression today. The 2010 unwinds in the glass with gorgeous cherry liqueur, raspberry jam, dried lavender, tobacco, cured meat, leather and exotic spice aromas. It is powerful and deep, framed by ripe tannins and a complex finish. Kudos to Paul-Vincent Avril and his team for crafting this ravishing beauty. Drink: 2018-2040. (Jun 2023)"