2000 Pape Clement
By Chateau Pape Clement
2000 Pape Clement from Chateau Pape Clement, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
The turn of the millennium heralded an exquisite creation from the historic lands of Pessac-Leognan: the 2000 Pape Clement from Chateau Pape Clement stands as a landmark achievement for this illustrious estate. A vintage shaped by climatic generosity, this release invites fine wine investors to explore its depth and finesse, capturing the imagination with its complexity.
Intrigue in Every Sip: A Vintage of Singular Character
The year 2000 in Bordeaux was marked by exceptional weather conditions that combined to craft wines of significant aging potential—wines that are now reaching their zenith of expression. The 2000 Pape Clement is no exception. It resonates with the gravitas expected from a mature Bordeaux, offering a sumptuous palette replete with evolved tannins and an impeccable balance of acidity. The narrative of this wine unravels with dark plum, cassis, and earthy truffle nuances that have mellowed beautifully over two decades.
A Testament to Terroir and Timing
The 2000 vintage was a product of fortuitous timing—an early bud break followed by a warm spring and a sultry summer—all coalescing to ensure optimal ripeness and concentration. This confluence is captured intuitively in the bottle; one can discern the confident strokes of dark chocolate, smoky cedar, and a hint of graphite—all signatures which have been further enhanced by adept cellar aging.
The noble structure of the 2000 Pape Clement denotes a consummate affinity for cellaring—affirming its place as one of the most collectable vintages from Chateau Pape Clement. It is a vintage that rightly commands attention from discerning palates seeking out not just taste but history in their quest for exceptional wine investments.
To sip the 2000 Pape Clement is to savor the storied past of Bordeaux through one's senses, embracing the wine's evocative journey through time. Intense yet refined, its elements combine to form an opus that resonates with both depth and poise—a perennial testament to the esteemed heritage of Chateau Pape Clement.
Market price (USD)
$2,220.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
113.75
Scores and tasting notes
This wine stands out as a sensational effort just a few years away from full maturity. A 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine displays loads of scorched earth and smoky barbecue scents along with blueberry, black raspberry and black currant. The wine is expansive, has a savory, broad palate and a full-bodied mouthfeel, yet possesses vivid purity and uplift. The tannins are still present, but they are sweet and well-integrated. This wine should hit full maturity in another year or two and last for at least 20 more years.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #189
Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 2000 tasting in London. Like the Haut-Bailly ’00, this is just a tad subdued on the nose, earthy with blackberry, mulberry, candle wax, a touch of leather and undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, nice cohesion, a saline tang on the entry, the raspberry, cedar, dried herbs and a touch of fennel, building nicely in the mouth to reveal a firm backbone, quite tannic and grippy towards the finish. This should improve. Drink 2016-2035. Tasted March 2010.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2010