Pape Clement
Château Pape Clément possess a particularly fascinating history dating back as far as the 14th Century. The Château derives its name from Pope Clement V, formerly Cardinal Bertrand de Goth, famous in his time for working in the vineyards himself and utilising the very latest agricultural processes of the day. The Pope's holy influence is still felt through the vines today, with a string of quite divine vintages over the past two decades. This is a Pessac-Léognan estate that has been a trailblazing producer for over 700 years. He took real interest in this Pessac Leognan estate, adopting the most advanced winemaking techniques the 14th century had to offer. Still cutting-edge, in 2013 they introduced drones, controlled via smartphone, to inspect their parcels.The estate is now under the ownership of Bernard Magrez.
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James Suckling (97-98)
This is really classy with length and polish that shine brightly. Also, you see blackberry, bark, currant and mushroom character. Full-bodied with wonderfully polished tannins and a seamless finish.$447.00 -
Wine Spectator (95)
Solid core of fruit in this wine with excellent structure that reminds me of red wine. Tight and well-knit. Goes on for a long, long time. 60 percent Sauvignon Blanc and 40 percent Sémillon. Score range: 95-100$1,210.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Arguably the dry white wine of the vintage along with Laville, this is an extraordinary wine with the texture of a grand cru white Burgundy, the so-called gout de petrol that one finds in Coche-Dury Meursault-Perrieres, or one of the top Montrachets from the likes of Domaine Leflaive or Romanee-Conti. Honeyed orange, sweet melons, subtle smoke, stunning concentration, and a full-bodied mouthfeel make for an extraordinary expression of white Graves that should age beautifully for 15-20 years. The final blend from the tiny 7.5-acre parcel of this historic vineyard was 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillon, 5% each of Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle.$898.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
Composed of 45% Semillon, 43% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Sauvignon Gris and 4% Muscadelle that hit 14.5% natural alcohol from yields of 22 hectoliters per hectare, this beauty offers up exotic notes of orange marmalade, lemon custard and citrus oil.$1,135.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
I am not sure what the exact blend is for the 2012 Pape Clément, but it has a light gold color and is a gorgeously full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine with great texture in its notes of rose petal, honeysuckle, crystallized/caramelized tropical fruits, mandarin orange and honeyed lemon. Aged 15 months in mostly new French oak, this is another brilliant achievement for proprietor Bernard Magrez from this tiny white wine vineyard, although I would rate it slightly below his perfect 2009. Anticipated maturity: now-2030.$1,045.00 -
(1x75cl) 2014Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2014 Pape Clément Blanc is unctuous and beautifully textured, with soft contours and fabulous overall balance. Orchard fruit, apricot and gentle spice notes all come together in an open-knit Pessac-Léognan white that will drink well upon release. Lightly tropical notes and a kiss of French oak add closing nuance. As always, the Pape Clément Blanc is one of the most flamboyant whites - maybe the most flamboyant white - in Bordeaux, and yet all the elements fall into place effortlessly. Tasted three times.$136.00 -
(12x75cl) 2016Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Among the whites of the vintage, the 2016 Château Pape Clément Blanc is one of the most concentrated, deep, and full-bodied whites out there, offering up a red wine-like structure to go with beautiful notes of white grapefruit, Meyer lemon, crushed rocks, and exotic flowers. A blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Gris, and 5% Muscadelle, all from deep gravelly soils and brought up in 55% new French oak, this incredibly textured, pure, balanced white needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades or more.$1,665.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Among the whites of the vintage, the 2016 Château Pape Clément Blanc is one of the most concentrated, deep, and full-bodied whites out there, offering up a red wine-like structure to go with beautiful notes of white grapefruit, Meyer lemon, crushed rocks, and exotic flowers. A blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Gris, and 5% Muscadelle, all from deep gravelly soils and brought up in 55% new French oak, this incredibly textured, pure, balanced white needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades or more.$1,140.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is so serious with incredible density and a chewy texture. Focused and tight. Layered and fascinating. Lots of minerals and lemon rind. Great young white. Can’t wait to see it after its elevage.$747.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Beautiful aromas of lime curd, dried pear, grilled white peach and flint on the nose. So exotic on the nose. Some cream and honey, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. Creamy and focused with lingering dried-citrus and crushed-gravel notes. Long. Drink or hold.$352.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Beautiful aromas of lime curd, dried pear, grilled white peach and flint on the nose. So exotic on the nose. Some cream and honey, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. Creamy and focused with lingering dried-citrus and crushed-gravel notes. Long. Drink or hold.$531.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of tangy fruit and beautiful depth. It’s full-bodied, yet racy and very, very long. So much salty and sliced-apple character here. Excellent minerality and intensity.$1,570.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of tangy fruit and beautiful depth. It’s full-bodied, yet racy and very, very long. So much salty and sliced-apple character here. Excellent minerality and intensity.$625.00 -
(1x150cl) 2020Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.$320.00 -
(3x75cl) 2020Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.$452.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.$682.00 -
(3x150cl) 2023James Suckling (96-97)
Dense and tight with a solid core of sliced Meyer lemon, lime and green apple. It’s full and very compact with a phenolic texture that runs the length of the wine. Slightly chewy, yet, it’s long and persistent with a mineral and bitter citrus undertone at the end.$753.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Dense and tight with a solid core of sliced Meyer lemon, lime and green apple. It’s full and very compact with a phenolic texture that runs the length of the wine. Slightly chewy, yet, it’s long and persistent with a mineral and bitter citrus undertone at the end.$754.00

