2017 Ch Pape Clement, Pessac-Leognan

94-97 points Vinous The 2017 Pape Clément is fabulous. One of the rare 2017s with a real sense of structure, Pape Clément possesses dazzling intensity from start to finish. A rush of dark cherry, plum, chocolate and grilled herb notes hits the palate as this majestic, towering wine shows off its personality. Time in the glass brings out a brighter and more floral set of flavors. The 2017 is the first vintage made with a portion of whole clusters, an inspiration Bernard Magrez takes from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where he recently bought a small property. Quite simply, the 2017 Pape Clément is a magnificent wine by any measure. Don't miss it. The only problem with the 2017 is that yields are down 40% because of frost. (AG) (5/2018)

94-96 points Jeb Dunnuck The Grand Vin 2017 Château Pape Clément is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot still aging in 60% new French oak. Harvest ran from the 15th of September to the 3rd of October, and I was able to taste this beauty on three separate occasions. Its deep purple color is followed by a blockbuster bouquet of ripe black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, graphite, and licorice. One of the more powerful, concentrated wines in the vintage, this medium to full-bodied effort has terrific purity of fruit, a mouthfilling texture, and present, ripe tannin. Too many 2017s lack excitement, but that’s not the case here. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15+ years. (4/2018)

---

95-96 points James Suckling This is very dense for the vintage on the center palate and then rolls out on the palate. Full-bodied, tight and tannic. Very polished and refined at the end. Precise. A little more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gives this the tension. (4/2018)

---

92-94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The current blend of the 2017 Pape Clement is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of crushed black cherries, black raspberries and mulberries with hints of lilacs and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied with a firm, grainy frame and wonderful freshness, it possesses great elegance and effortless intensity with a mineral-tinged finish. (LPB) (4/2018)

---

91-94 points Wine Spectator This has solid ripeness, with plum and cassis notes flowing through, along with an ambitious oak regimen that results in ample toasted vanilla hints. This clamps down a touch on the finish, but there’s good purity and freshness, with fresh acidity buried within, leaving me optimistic. (JM) (4/2018)

---

92 points Decanter I have found that Magrez estates have done exceptionally well in 2017, pretty much across the board, but here I feel a reach towards the barrel that is just the slightest bit out of step with the ripeness of the fruit. The tannins are flexible and in control, but it just lacks a touch of the opulence in the black fruits that was so abundant in 2015 and 2016. There is no doubt that it has been very well constructed, and it will age confidently in the medium to long term. (JA) (4/2018)

---

90-92 points Wine Enthusiast This is a hugely dense, extracted wine, possibly too much so, displaying a hard edge that smothers the ripe fruit. Giving it the benefit of the doubt, it certainly will not be drinkable before 2024. (RV) (4/2018)

Chateau Pape Clement is named after Pope Clement V who was given the Pessac Leognan estate as a gift, Clement enjoyed working the vineyards and managing the chateau, employing most sophisticated techniques of his day.

When Clement V moved the papal court to Avignon he relinquished his Bordeaux vineyards and instead continued his interest in wine at Chateauneuf du Pape. As the Pope left Passec Leognan the estate was named in his honour Chateau Pape Clement, the name it retains to this day.

---

The wines of Chateau Pape Clement are modern in style, with rich, lush textures and intense concentration of ripe fruit,and should reach peak maturity between 15-50 years of age after the vintage. Older vintages might need very little decanting.