Chateau Pape Clement 2019

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

The Grand Vin 2019 Chateau Pape Clement reveals a dense purple hue with stunning aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, lead pencils shavings, scorched earth, and tobacco. Beautifully balanced, with flawless tannins, this full-bodied Pessac has that rare mix of elegance and power, a great mid-palate, and perfect balance. It's one of the gems of the vintage and has some accessibility today, given its purity and balance, yet deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will cruise for 20-25 years or more in cold cellars. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, brought up in two-thirds new French oak. 

97 Points - James Suckling

Crushed-stone and berry aromas with some blackberry and black-tea character. Just a touch of smokiness. Sweet fruit, too. This is so refined, subtle, and beautiful for Pape, with a full body, ultra-fine tannins, and a succulent finish. The center palate is dense and complete. Goes on for minutes. So subtle and refined, focused and classy. 

97 Points - Vinous

The 2019 Pape Clément is just as impressive as it was en primeur. It shows all of the textural richness typical of Bernard Magrez's wines but with an extra kick of freshness that provides energy and a sense of proportion. A wine of stature, 2019 is so classy. Succulent black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather, and licorice are all beautifully delineated. But more than anything else, I find the wine's energy impressive. This is a fabulous vintage for Pape Clement.

95 Points - Decanter

Continuing the strong performance of Pape Clement over recent vintages. Violet edges around the glass, and a supple tannic hold constricts and expands the fruit through the palate, giving a sense of momentum. There is a firm tannic grip, given drama by black pepper and bitter chocolate notes, and a slate textured finish to slow things down and hold the flavour. Malolactic fermentation in barrels (60%) is new and ageing in both barrels (90%) and larger oak casks. Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are planted in the vineyard but not yet in the 1st wine. Certified bee-friendly. Tasted twice, two weeks apart, excellent both times.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Created by the 14th-century Pope Clement V, this estate is now owned by Bernard Magrez. This latest release shows the quality of the property, a wine set for long aging. The wine's structure and density match ripe black fruits. 

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2019 Pape Clément has turned out well in bottle, delivering a rich bouquet of cherries, blackcurrants, plum liqueur and blackberries mingled with notions of burning embers, licorice and a nicely integrated framing of new oak. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's a layered, fleshy wine with a deep core of ripe but lively fruit, plenty of powdery tannins and a long, expansive, discreetly heady finish. This is a powerful, dramatic Pessac with a transatlantic accent and will drink well with only a few years bottle age.

94 Points - Wine Spectator

Quite rich, with an exotic hint to the boysenberry, plum and mulberry fruit flavours carried by a velvety structure. Features a stylish backdrop of apple wood, anise and fruitcake notes that adds more bling. This doesn't have the drive for serious cellaring, but it's still pretty gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.