About the Wine

Welcome to the oldest wine estate in Pessac with more than 700 released vintages!

Château Pape Clement has a very long story to tell, the first vintage released was in 1252 and the estate has produced wine every year since. Previously the Château was called Domaine de la Mothe and acquired the name of Pape Clement thanks to its second owner, Gaillard de Goth brother of Bertrand de Goth who in 1305 was named Pope, Pope Clement V.Gaillar inherited the estate from his brother Bertrand and he, in turn, renamed the castle as we now know it.

The renowned Château passed through the hands of different owners, each of whom contributed to positive achievements to the growth of the property. Since 1980, the Château could not fall into better hands than the passionate wine-lover and great wine entrepreneur Bernard Margez. For Bernard, Château Pape Clement was the beginning of his great career as a wine entrepreneur, Pape Clement is the first vineyard of 42 estates that he currently owns, including La Tour Carnet, Château Fombrauge, and Clos Haut Peyraguey. This winery and this wine is his flagship.

Château Pape Clement is on the list of the Classification of Graves Wine of 1959, in which Haut-Brion is also enlisted.Located in the spectacular terroir of Pessac-Leognan, this Château's nearly 150-acre vineyard is fortunate to be situated on the oldest of the alluvial terraces known as the “Pyrenean gravel bed”.

The combination of an extraordinary climate, enviable soils, wine-making practices that are constantly innovating, cutting-edge technology, and the hand of technical advisor Michelle Rolland have allowed the word “Excellence” to be synonymous with this Château; And not only do we say it, but the famous wine critic Robert Parker can also assure it, in 2009 and 2019 two wines from this Château obtained perfect 100 point scores.

In addition to being careful in all aspects of the quality of the wine and vineyard, they are also environmentally responsible and it is one of the few Châteaux certified with the highest environmental distinction according to France; the HVE 3.

Tasting Notes: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc.
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews

As to the Grand Vin 2019 Château Pape Clement, it reveals a dense purple hue to go with stunning aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, lead pencils shavings, scorched earth, and tobacco. Beautifully balanced, with flawless tannins, this full-bodied Pessac has that rare mix of elegance and power, a great mid-palate, and again, perfect balance. It's one of the gems of the vintage and has some accessibility today given its purity and balance, yet deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will cruise for 20-25 years or more in cold cellars. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, brought up in two-thirds new French oak. ~98 Jeb Dunnuck.

Crushed-stone and berry aromas with some blackberry and black-tea character. Just a touch of smokiness. Sweet fruit, too. This is so refined, subtle, and beautiful for Pape with full body, ultra-fine tannins and a succulent finish. The center-palate is dense and complete. Goes on for minutes. So subtle and refined, focused and classy. Try after 2026. ~97 James Suckling. 

The 2019 Pape Clément is just as impressive as it was en primeur. It shows all of the textural richness that is so typical of Bernard Magrez's wines but with an extra kick of freshness that provides energy as well as a sense of proportion. A wine of stature, 2019 is so classy. Succulent black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and licorice are all beautifully delineated. But more than anything else, I find the wine's energy really impressive. This is a fabulous vintage for Pape Clément. Tasted two times.  ~97 Vinous.

Dark ruby ​​garnet, violet reflections, subtle lightening of the edges. Nougat and prunes, candied orange zest, and sea buckthorn. Complex, full-bodied, fine fruit sweetness, ripe, supporting tannins, elegant and spicy, mineral and long-lasting, safe aging potential, will benefit from aging in the bottle. ~96 Falstaff.

Created by the 14th-century Pope, Clement V, this estate is now owned by Bernard Magrez. This latest release shows the quality of the property, a wine that is set for long aging. Ripe black fruits are matched by the wine's structure and density. Drink from 2026 ~95 Wine Enthusiast. 

Continuing the strong performance of Pape Clement over recent vintages. Violet edging around the glass, and a supple tannic hold that both constricts and expands the fruit through the palate, giving a sense of momentum. There is a firm tannic grip, given drama by notes of black pepper and bitter chocolate, and a slate textured finish to slow things down and hold the flavor. ~95 Decanter. 

The 2019 Pape Clément has turned out well in the bottle, delivering a rich bouquet of cherries, blackcurrants, plum liqueur, and blackberries mingled with notions of burning embers, licorice, and a nicely integrated framing of new oak. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's a layered, fleshy wine, with a deep core of ripe but lively fruit, plenty of powdery tannin and a long, expansive, discreetly heady finish. This is a powerful, dramatic Pessac with a transatlantic accent and will drink well with only a few years' bottle age. ~94 Robert Parker. 

Quite rich, with an exotic hint to the boysenberry, plum and mulberry fruit flavors, which are carried by a velvety structure. Features a very stylish backdrop of apple wood, anise and fruitcake notes that adds more bling. This doesn't have the drive for serious cellaring, but it's still pretty gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2023 through 2035. ~94 Wine Spectator.

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