Avril Clos des Papes Châteauneuf du Pape 2002

Another fine wine needed, I spotted several Châteauneufs, but the friendly assistant recommended this one, as it was reduced in price due to the poor 2002 vintage. After a couple of hours in the decanter, the wine showed a lovely fragrant array of ripe red-fruits, cinnamon, earth, slight game, minerals and florals. On the palate it was initially a touch sharp and thin, but did settle quickly into a wonderful melange of red fruits, caramel, vanilla integrated into some very svelt tannins. Overall this was an excellent wine for such a poor vintage. Beautifully structured, seductive drinking.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100