Château Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan blanc 2019

A lovely bouquet of white flowers and acacia, with a hint of floral notes reminiscent of the aromas of Muscadelle from the Bergerac region. Excellent body and complexity—still at the top of its appellation.

Its name alone speaks to the status this estate has enjoyed for the past thirty years. Here, everything borders on perfection: the white and red wines are elegant and sophisticated.

A delicate balance between white pear and texturally rich citrus notes. It has evolved beautifully over several vintages, showcasing a more refined style of white wine. It is magnificently complex and well-structured.

An intense and complex nose—floral, citrusy, vanilla-like, and spicy—is matched by a palate that is equally expressive, full-bodied, ripe, and dense. The mineral and fruity finish lingers for a long time.

 

Bernard Magrez, who also owns the châteaux La Tour Carnet (Haut-Médoc) and Fombrauge (Saint-Émilion), has made this estate his flagship. Nothing is left to chance in the quest to produce the greatest wine possible. The pursuit of optimal ripeness, hand-destemming, and lavish aging… This is the archetype of a modern, luxurious Bordeaux that captivates immediately and evolves with great charm. On the flip side, some vintages have occasionally veered toward excess. Time, however, sets things right and tempers the wine’s fiery spirit, as the terroir eventually reasserts itself. Nevertheless, since the 2012 vintage, a shift in style has been noticeable, moving toward wines less marked by the sometimes excessive pursuit of ripeness and toward less aggressive aging—a trend clearly evident in our recent tastings, particularly with the 2015 vintage. The estate produces a small quantity of a white wine (aged partly in ovoid concrete tanks) that is delicately musky and possesses an elegance that places it at the forefront of Sauvignon-dominated Graves wines.

Aromas of green apple and lime. It is medium-bodied with a crisp acidity and a salty, mineral, and tangy palate. Vibrant and intense. So much energy and freshness. Lots of lively acidity. Tight on the finish. Let it age another 3 to 4 years in the bottle.

A pure, elegant nose of citrus with golden aromas, which reappear on the palate, along with lovely notes of lemon and zeste. The acidity and bitterness make for a very refreshing wine. A wine that takes you by the hand into an Indian garden.

Light yellow with green highlights. A subtle, complex bouquet with notes of white pepper, citrus, and flint. A racy, briny attack. The wine has vigor, character, and a robust structure that supports the entire palate and ensures a lingering finish. A Pape Clément with real character!

Pale color. Intense, fruity, and subtle on the nose. Immediately smooth on the palate, with a light body and a hint of oak in the finish. Does not quite match the remarkable 2018. Good length.

The nose is fresh, elegant, and aromatic, offering lovely definition, fine grain, and elegance. It reveals notes of ripe, juicy lemon, vine peach, and, more subtly, peach blossoms and apple blossoms, combined with subtle hints of ripe citrus (kumquat, mandarin, quince), as well as a subtle hint of exotic fruits, juicy apricot, flint, and very subtle hints of toast and sweet spices. The palate is fruity and balanced, with a juicy, subtly tart structure, a delicious richness, good tension, and refined texture and elegance. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy, juicy lemon, vine peach, and, more subtly, crushed apple, combined with subtle hints of juicy kumquat and quince, as well as very delicate hints of juicy, ripe apricot, apple blossom, and an imperceptible hint of sweet spices,nutmeg, and toasted almond. Good length.

Direct, fresh, round, and rich, this wine offers notes of tropical orange and yellow fruits, honeysuckle, and hints of candied grapefruit zest. Fresh, smooth, lively, and long-lasting, with waxy citrus and yellow fruits and mandarin on the finish, you can enjoy it right away and for the next decade.