Château Pape Clément 2016

A very elegant Pessac-Léognan red wine

The estate

Situated on the doorstep of Bordeaux, Château Pape Clément is one of the oldest wine estates in the region, as the first grape harvest took place in 1252. The name of the Château Pape Clément estate refers to Pope Clement V who managed his vineyard with great passion before donating it to the archbishop of Bordeaux. At the time, they were referred to as "the vines of Pape Clément". In 1983, Bernard Magrez, the tireless builder and creator of rare wines, bought the estate. Bernard Magrez, who today owns 4 Grands Crus Classés in Bordeaux, injects all his energy and determination in order to elevate Château Pape Clément to the very pinnacle of Bordeaux Grands Crus. In 2009, Château Pape Clément was bestowed a 100/100 score from the American critic, Robert Parker.

The vineyard

Enjoying an exceptional terroir in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the Château Pape Clément vineyard covers 46.5 hectares. The vines are 31 years old on average and are planted on Pyrenean clay gravel soils. The vineyard is managed on a micro-plot basis. The Château Pape Clément estate is certified High Environmental Value 3.

The vintage

A mild, wet winter preceded a cool spring marked by heavy rainfall. Although these weather conditions delayed the development of the vines, the flowering period miraculously occurred thanks to a few warm and sunny days. From June 20th onwards, a hot and particularly dry summer set in, leading to significant water stress. The rainfall on September 13th salvaged and, with the help of wide temperature variations, ensured the optimal ripening of the grapes up until the harvest.

The vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand in small crates, with a first sorting in the vineyard. Following manual destemming and a second sorting on a table, the grapes are transferred using a gravity flow method into 30 to 70-hl wooden vats. Pre-fermentation maceration at low temperature. Manual punching of the cap along with the maceration for 30 to 40 days in order to refine the extraction. Direct run-off into French oak barrels by gravity-flow. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in barrels, as is the 18-month ageing period.

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (50%)

Merlot (50%).

Château Pape Clément 2016: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

Brilliant, this wine showcases a beautiful purple colour.

Nose

Expressive, the nose combines fruity (blackcurrant, blackberry, morello cherry) and floral (violet, liquorice) fragrances.

Palate

Very elegant, the palate seduces with its fine tannins, its remarkable freshness and its exceptional length, all signs of a vintage with a promising ageing potential.