Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
75cl * 14% ABV * Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Created in the 13th century by Bernard de Groth, the future Pope Clément V, Château Pape Clément is one of the oldest estates in Bordeaux. After he took the Papacy in 1306 and moved to Avignon, he relinquished the château to the church. This heritage remains with the château today in the form of a Papal cross on its label - a symbol that is shared by Châteauneuf du Pape producers in the Rhône Valley. In 1939 the estate was bought by the Montagne family and is now owned and run by Léo Montagne.
Bordeaux in 2020 seems to have all the freshness that made the outstanding 2016 so appealing, but also combines the warmth and accessibility of vintages like 2009 - we can't get enough of this vintage.
Drink 2028 - 2047.
"Powerful in colour, this has the glass staining red and purple colours that Pape Clément does so well. Touches of liquorice and cocoa beans, well handled, this gives power with one hand but takes it away with the other as the austerity and fresh mint leaf comes to the fore. Impressive, a really enjoyable, classically wrought but still full of concentration Pape Clément. Savoury, there is nothing too exuberant in the fruits but it exudes deft confidence. Drink from 2028 to 2044". 94 points, Jane Anson, Decanter (April 2021)
“The 2020 Pape Clément, which I afforded an hour’s aeration, has a very precise bouquet of pure blackberry, cedar, mint and violet aromas, quite discreet but paradoxically intense; these aromas are very seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, lithe tannins framing wonderfully pure black fruit laced with crushed stone and a judicious touch of white pepper. Seamless in texture, this is a sophisticated Pape Clément in the making, an outstanding wine that should age brilliantly in bottle. Drink: 2025-2060. 95-97/100” - 95-97 points, Neal Martin, vinous.com
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Pape Clement comes barreling out of the glass with bold notes of cassis, plum preserves and licorice, giving way to scents of cedar chest, crushed rocks, charcoal and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly coiled with beautiful tension and a firm, finely grained texture locking in the layers of black fruits and minerals, finishing with great length and energy. The blend this year is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, aging mainly in French oak barriques, 66% new, with about 10% aging in large oak foudres. The wine will spend approximately 18 months in barrels. Drink: 2028 – 2060. 96-98/100” - 96-98 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
“Superb aromas of blackberries, crushed stones, iodine and graphite. Full-bodied with ultra fine tannins and a balanced finish. Such length and beauty. Very close to the 2019 in quality. 97-98/100” - 97-98 points, James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com
"Pape Clément 2022 (Pessac-Léognan; 60% Cabernet Sauvignon; 40% Merlot; a final yield of 35 hl/ha; tasted a second time at the UGC press tasting). Extremely expressive and aromatically complex, with classic cedar, graphite and pencil-shavings generously enrobing the black cherry and damson fruit. Strikingly sweet on the palate, but entirely naturally so, we have black cherries, again, fruits of the forest (bringing some of their acidity) and black forest gateau with a generous sprinkling of the finest grated dark chocolate. Big, deep, rich and bold with a sumptuous dense mid-palate and yet sparkling energy and freshness. This is very fine indeed and the best Pape Clément in many a vintage." 95-97 points, Colin Hay, The Drinks Business