2018 | Château Pape Clément | Pessac-Leognan

An oasis of green, this grand estate within the Bordeaux suburbs has produced a powerful, massively textured wine. It also has the fruit richness to partner the structure along with a fresher streak of acidity.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Clémentin de Pape Clement strides confidently out of the glass with classic scents of ripe blackcurrants, juicy black plums and cedar chest, plus touches of graphite, bay leaves, unsmoked cigars and espresso. The medium-bodied, elegantly styled palate (13.5% alcohol) has a lot of grace and presence for a second wine, featuring finely grained tannins and seamless freshness to support the bright, black fruit flavors, finishing on a minerally note.

• James Suckling: Aromas of wild blackberries, blueberries, dried lavender, cloves and eucalyptus with gravel and cocoa butter. It’s full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins. Polished and creamy with a core of ripe fruit that evolves to herbs, spices and chocolate. Fantastic concentration and seamless integration.

Producer Information

Château Pape Clément is a grand cru wine estate in the Pessac-Léognan appellation in Graves. It is one of the oldest estates in Bordeaux, dating back to the 13th Century, and is now just 15 minutes from the center of Bordeaux city, and surrounded by urban development. The Pape Clément vineyard is situated on a mix of gravel-sand and clay-limestone soils, with a chalky subsoil rich in iron. This is a good terroir for both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The 90 hectare (222 acres) estate is planted Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for about 60 percent, and Merlot around 40 percent. There are also tiny amounts of Petit Verdot and, Cabernet Franc. There are 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres) planted to white grapes. This comprises around 45 percent each of Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc, and 10 percent Muscadelle. Château Pape Clément produces three pairs of red and white wines, including the grands vins. Le Clémentin du Pape Clément is the second label. Le Prélat de Pape Clément is not the third wine, but instead comes from a distinct 8.5 hectare (21-acre) plot. The grand vin red features about 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, nearly as much Merlot, and a dash of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Its white counterpart is based on Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. This also contains about five percent Sauvignon Gris, plus a dash of Muscadelle. Grapes undergo an initial sorting in the vineyard and are manually picked into small crates. Red grapes are removed from the stems by hand to keep grapes intact as long as possible. They are fermented in large, temperature controlled vats and then are aged in barrel. The grand vin sees 18 months in new French oak. The white grand vin is fermented in, then aged for 18 months, in oak barrels. The château takes its name from its founder, Betrand de Got, who was the Archbishop of Bordeaux and became Pope Clément V in 1305. It is currently part of the Bernard Magrez group of estates.

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