CHATEAU PAPE-CLEMENT Grand Vin de Graves BLANC, Pessac-Leognan 2022 Bottle

Description

Château Pape Clément, a prestigious Cru Classé in Graves, boasts one of the oldest documented histories in Bordeaux, dating back to 1300 when planted by Bernard de Groth. Owned by the Montagne family since 1939, the estate covers 32 hectares, primarily planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.

The 2022 Pape Clément Blanc has garnered outstanding acclaim, scoring 97 points from both James Suckling and Vinous. Suckling describes it as crystal clear with intense aromas of limes, minerals, and creamy fruit, showcasing an attractive balance of acidity. Vinous highlights its richness and inviting layers of tangerine, tropical fruit, and mint. Decanter rated it 93 points, praising its purity of citrus and stone fruits, coupled with a long, spiced finish. This wine promises an exceptional drinking experience and aging potential from 2025 to 2036.

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Château Pape Clément is a Cru Classé Graves property that has one of the oldest documented histories of any Bordeaux vineyard, having been planted in 1300 by Bernard de Groth, the future Pope Clément V. In 1939 the estate was bought by the Montagne family and is now owned and run by Léo Montagne.

Pape Clément is located in the Bordeaux suburb of Pessac and consists of a chai and 32 hectares of vineyards, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (40%) and small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.

The quality of the wines at Pape Clément slipped in the 1960s and 70s, largely because of under-investment. Bernard Magrez was appointed as general manager in 1985 and he turned Pape Clément's fortunes around. He introduced more rigorous selection in the vineyards, as well as installing stainless steel vats and raising the percentage of new oak casks used in the maturation process.

JAMES SUCKLING 97 Points
Crystal clear, but with quite impressive concentration. Limes, minerals, creamy fruit, sliced apples and touches of golden kiwis and ripe gooseberries. Pretty full-bodied and weighty, with creamy flavors and fresh, balanced acidity throughout. Long and attractive, with fine phenolics at the end adding interest and complexity. Drink or hold. - Zekun Shuai

VINOUS 97 points
The 2022 Pape Clément Blanc is rich, layered and so inviting. Tangerine peel, pineapple, tropical fruit, mint and exotic floral notes fill out the layers. Light tropical inflections suggest a certain amount of richness, but in the end, the 2022 is airy and very nicely lifted. All the elements are so well balanced. Tasted three times. - Antonio Galloni

DECANTER 93 points
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2036 - Citrus kick straight away, great direction and focus - there's purity to the lemon, peach, green apple, pear and apricot fruit. Sharp and straight but stylish. Fruity and juicy, precise and detailed, a touch tense still but there's excellent sculpting here and lots of life. Quite bold, some toasted nuances putting the wood at the fore and narrowing some of the expression but there's so much to like with a long, spiced finish. Harvest 28 August to 2 September.

THE WINE ADVOCATE RP (90-93) points
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
A blend of 63% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillon and 2% Muscadelle, the 2022 Pape Clément Blanc exhibits aromas of spices, spring flowers, lemon, peach and hints of jasmine and grapefruit. The palate is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and satiny, with an oaky frame. The finish is long, persistent and elegantly spicy. Published: Apr 28, 2023

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Richer and more oaky than most in this line-up. Creamy oatmeal overlays the rich fruit. Fruit-filled but also deep and long. The oak is present but perfectly integrated. (JH)