2022 Château Pape Clément
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Pape Clément is definitely a step up in quality compared to the previous wines in the flight, with much more complexity and terroir expression, minerally with light estuarine scents. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, finely balanced, fresh and tensile, with a dash of white pepper and spice box towards the classically styled finish. Long-term potential here. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Black raspberries, cassis, graphite, scorched earth, and violet notes are just some of the nuances in the 2022 Château Pape Clément, a gorgeously textured, layered, seamless 2022. It's flawlessly balanced, has a class of tannins that's second to none, is full-bodied, has terrific concentration, and has a gorgeous finish. This classic, seamless, elegant, sensational layered, multi-dimensional Pessac will have 40 years of prime drinking.
The 2022 Pape Clément was impressive from barrel. Now that the wine is in bottle, it has evolved a very floral bouquet (strangely, there is a scent that reminds me of walking into the hotel reception of the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, and I don't mean that necessarily in a negative way). Hints of musk, potpourri and bergamot filter through with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with saturated tannins. Mainly black-fruited, it is judiciously spiced and a little chewy toward the finish, where it just needs a little more precision and nervosité . Still, this is a very fine Pape Clément, one that deserves several years in bottle.
Medium to full intensity ruby in colour, gentle smoke on the nose, along with liquorice and cocoa bean on the opening beats, good length here, perhaps a little tight still at this point but plenty of ageing potential, and an enjoyably fragrant wave of rose petals and orange peel on the finish. Heavy bottle. 35hl/h yield, native yeast fermentation, aged in a variety of differently sized casks and barrels, 75ha estate
About the producer
Among the oldest estates in Bordeaux, Ch. Pape Clément has been guided into the modern era by Bernard Magrez, who has managed the estate since 1985. It makes some of the best reds in the region.