2018 Pape Clement
By Chateau Pape Clement
2018 Pape Clément from Château Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux
The illustrious terroir of Pessac-Léognan has once again yielded its fruits to the benefit of fine wine connoisseurs with the release of the 2018 Pape Clément from Château Pape Clément. This vintage is a symphony orchestrated by the marriage of climate and craftsmanship, with 2018 distinguished as one of the most impressive years for Bordeaux in recent memory.
Vintage Variation: A Tale of Resilience and Opulence
The 2018 Pape Clément speaks profoundly of its vintage - a year punctuated by battles against nature, wherein winemakers triumphed over the challenges posed by climatic extremities. In this instance, the vines at Chateau Pape Clément emerged resilient, drawing on the profound gravel soils to produce grapes imbued with extraordinary concentration and depth. This vintage stands out not merely for surviving adversity but flourishing with pronounced character and quality.
A Confluence of Elements: Investment Worthy Elegance
Sophisticated investors will note the robust appeal of this radiant wine as much a result of ideal growing conditions as meticulous vinification techniques. The 2018 harvest unfolded under optimal conditions; a warm summer was tempered by judiciously timed rains, engendering an unaugmented expression of varietal purity and regional typicity that stands to make this vintage a highly sought-after addition to any discerning collection.
On the palate, the 2018 Pape Clément from Château Pape Clément offers an expressive conduit between earth and imbiber—a full-bodied intensity that carries dark fruit tones alongside an elegance akin to fine silk. Its structured tannins suggest profound longevity, ensuring its place in cellars for years to come. For those uniting passion with providence in the realm of investment, here lies a bottle emblematic of Bordeaux's profundity and potential.
In summation, the regal composure and age-worthy structure render the 2018 Pape Clément from Château Pape Clément a paragon amongst its peers. A wine that not only encapsulates an exceptional vintage but also possesses virtues that align seamlessly with the virtues sought by both connoisseurs and investors alike—pedigree, poise, and long-term promise.
Market price (USD)
$687.31
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
33.12
Scores and tasting notes
This is a very driven Pape Clément with fantastic density and finesse at the same time. Linear and driven, the finish goes on for minutes with incredible tension and focus. More cabernet. Refinement with power.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com - April 2019
This wine is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc to be aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 60% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Pape Clement is a little closed, slowly unfurling to reveal fragrant earth, crushed rocks, iron ore and tobacco notions over a core of crushed red and black currants plus kirsch, red roses and Ceylon tea. Full-bodied and wonderfully vivacious, it offers a solid line of firm and fine-grained tannins and amazing freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 23rd April 2019
This is really well put together, with waves of steeped plum, currant and raspberry fruit, bolts of licorice and tar and a long apple wood accent on the sappy finish.—J.M.
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - April 2019
I love watching how Pape Clement is evolving with every vintage. There's still a bit of Venice Beach in its muscles but it has let some juice in between the firm tannins and it's all the better for it. There are ripples of freshness here too, with lots of fleshy fruit, and a slatey mineral finish that sits against chocolate and smoked cedar notes. It's clearly been carefully extracted yet still has the serious ageing ability and sense of confidence that is the signature of the property. 37hl/ha yield in 2018. Two-thirds new oak.
Jane Anson - Decanter - April 2019
The 2018 Pape Clément is dense, powerful, and brooding. In most vintages, Pape Clément is much more showy and inviting, but the 2018 is in no mood to show all of its cards. Instead, we find a Pape Clément that explodes with vertical intensity and lift. Captivating scents of gravel, smoke, leather, tobacco, chocolate and incense add layers of complexity. I can't wait to see how the 2018 ages. Today, it is super expressive. The blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. New oak is 45%. Tasted four times.
Antonio Galloni - Vinous - April 2019