2022 Château Pape Clement Rouge Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The Château Pape Clement Rouge Grand Cru Classé de Graves has put a very fine wine on the map with its 2019 vintage and is now approaching the Premier Crus in terms of level (fortunately not yet in terms of price, but this will certainly happen). This flagship of the empire of Mr. Bernard Magrez is completely destemming by hand, berry by berry, and only the berries with an intact skin are used in the wine. A gigantic cost in personnel (more than 20 people for destemming), but with an extraordinary result.

The Pape Clement Rouge is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon & 50% Merlot and has matured for 18 months in oak barriques of which 60% is new and the rest 2nd year oak. In the glass the Pape Clement has a deep garnet red color with a purple hue. The Pape Clement needs some oxygen but then slowly unfolds with notes of fragrant earth, crushed rocks, iron ore and tobacco which then turns into red and black berries, cherry, roses and black tea. Full and wonderfully lively it is medium to full bodied with firm and fine-grained tannins and an astonishing freshness, very long (mineral) finish.

With its smoky and spicy bouquet, the red Pape cCement is of admirable quality and a very characteristic softness. The wine is both concentrated, fine and harmonious, with an aromatic palette that is as broad as it is precise. The depth and length in the mouth are exceptional. The quality of the terroir, sustained efforts and dynamism have paid off, bringing Pape Clément to a level very close to that of the premiers crus. The recent assessment of the international wine press also confirms this

94/100 Parker
98/100 James Suckling