Château Pape Clément (Red)

"Château Pape Clément is one of my jewels, a rare wine whose elegance and power are the fruit of a long process of passion and commitment." Recognized all over the world, it is today a key reference among Grands Crus for both red wine and white wine. "

By Bernard Magrez

WHY BUY IT ?

  • One of Bernard Magrez Grand Crus (Ch. Fombrauge, Ch. La Tour Carnet, Clos Haut-Peyraguey…)
  • Château Pape Clément is a rare wine the elegance and power of which are the fruit of a long work of passion and commitment.
  • The plot that has been re-studied to improve the distinction in the different qualities
  • A property always in search of excellence: introduction in 2014 of a drone flying over the vineyards
  • Incredibly high notes since the 2008 vintage, this wine seduces journalists from all over the world

History

Château Pape Clément, located in Pessac, at the gates of Bordeaux, owes its name and its history to its most famous owner: Pope Clement V. It is one of the oldest Grands Crus of Bordeaux. Its vineyard was established in the 13th century and the first harvest took place in 1252. Château Pape Clément belongs since 1959 to the restricted circle of Grands Crus Classés de Graves. This property is one of the jewels of Bernard Magrez’s wide range of vineyards around the world.

Terroir & Vinification

Based on a terroir with exceptional components, the 60 hectares of this vineyard devote the meeting of passion and work. The blend consists of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The average age of the vines is about 30 years old. Each parcel, each foot, each bay is cherished then transformed according to strict rules. The size and stripping are a rare requirement, vinification and breeding are done according to the strictest rules, everything is done for nature to express its best. The harvest is manual in small crates with a first sorting in the vineyard and, since 2001, more than 200 people are carefully picking the grapes.

Château Pape Clément thus remains the only Grand Cru of Bordeaux to choose such a selective procedure for all of its production. Oenologist Michel Rolland oversees the delicate period of vinification. For more than 40 years, Bernard Magrez has been relentlessly looking for the latest technologies to achieve excellence. In 2014 the castle introduced the drone baptised “Towards Excellence” in the quest for precision viticulture. This revolutionary tool will contribute to the good management of the vineyard.

Tasting

At the tasting, Pape Clement offers a frank and round attack, the perfumes of leather and burnt wood reveal all the elegance of the wine, and end on a final of a remarkable length.

Their Team

  • Owner: Bernard MAGREZ
  • Director of Operations : Patrice HATEAU
  • Œnologist : Michel ROLLAND
  • Head of culture : Frédéric FOURNIER

Other wines of the property