One of Pessac-Léognan's most famous whites; concentrated, rich and highly aromatic, with a well-integrated woodiness. More info
Château Pape Clément serve at a temperature of 11°C. It will pair perfectly with the following dishes: Brochettes de lotte, Turbot rôti, Gratin de fruits de mer.
Peak: Drink until 2020
What the experts say...
An exquisite nose of honeysuckle, tropical fruit, pineapple, green apples, and orange and apricot marmalade soar from the glass. Great acidity, a full-bodied mouthfeel and a texture more akin to great grand cru white Burgundy put this wine in a class by itself. I wouldn't be surprised if there were others who also think this is pure perfection in white Bordeaux. I tasted this wine four separate times and gave it a perfect score three of the four times. It is one of most exquisite dry white I have ever tasted from anywhere – period. Certainly the founder of Pape Clement, Bertrand de Goth, would be happy with his decision to plant a vineyard here in 1305. Pure genius!
Pape Clément also produces an excellent white wine (albeit in much smaller volumes). Made primarily from Sauvignon, the wine is a very refined Pessac with a superb texture. Since 2012, 15% of the blend has come from wines raised in egg shaped vats, adding even more body. Drink after laying down for 2 to 8 years.
Pape-Clément's history dates back to the 13th century, when Bertrand de Goth, the archbishop of Bordeaux, received the land as a gift. Elected pope in 1306, he took the name of Clément V and renamed his property Pape Clément, subsequently leaving it to the Bordeaux clergy, who kept the production for their own consumption. After the French Revolution, the property passed through many hands, which seemed to result in a gradual decline. A disastrous hail storm in 1937 almost put an end to production. Fortunately, the vineyard was purchased in 1939 by an agricultural engineer named Paul Montagne, who revived the property, replanting the vines and renovating the winery, before passing the reins on to his son Léo. By 1953 the vintage wines were flourishing again, but from 1975 onwards, a lack of investment led to something of a decline over a period of about ten years. It was then that Bernard Magrez, now an iconic figure in Bordeaux, arrived on the scene as a co-owner and, from 1985 onwards, the wines regained their former quality, assisted by the talents of Michel Rolland the famous consultant oenologist. Rolland introduced plot-by-plot vinification, giving the wines more complexity and refinement as a result of different terroirs and grape varieties being able to express their individual characteristics before blending.
iDealwine Price(1) corresponds to the hammer price and the buyer's premium charged by the auctioneer.
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