Pape Clement 2009

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy

Tasting Notes
The 2009 Pape-Clément is one of the few wines to comes across as a little dumb on the nose. It demands coaxing but eventually reveals lovely blackberry, raspberry, leather and sage aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, and fine bead of acidity. Grippy and quite masculine with a broad-shouldered, dense finish that suggests it will require a few years in bottle; it may be closing up. Great potential but wait. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Score: 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2045 01 March 2019
Tasted at the chateau. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, cropped at 43hl/ha between 24th September and 21st October, this Pape-Clement has a ripe, how shall I say, almost “feline” nose that seems to purr with class. Very fine delineation and very focused. Just a touch of tobacco developing in the glass. The palate is full-bodied, dense and very weighty, bold but firm tannins, a more masculine Pape-Clement and beautifully balanced towards the finish. Very pure with a cool, refined finish. This is sophisticated and classy. Tasted April 2010. Score: 94 - 96 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 31 March 2010
The red wine flight was a colossal showing for the 2009s, with perfect wines from Cos d'Estournel, La Mission Haut-Brion, Smith Haut Lafitte, Pape Clément and Haut-Brion. These amazing wines are not only showing their individual, singular terroir characteristics at age six, but the luxurious, extravagant richness and body of this vintage. As I have written and said publically many times, 2009 is the modern-day version of 1982, except much more consistent, as many more properties ratcheted up the level of quality by making stricter selections not only in the vineyard, but also in the winery as well. Score: 100 Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com 01 January 2016
Although the 2009 Pape Clement may not be as sublime as the 2005 or 2000, but it is very close to those two efforts, and it will be fascinating to compare them (as well as the 2008 and 2010) over the following three decades. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc with a modest 13.5% alcohol, the 2009 reveals considerable structure and tannin along with tell-tale notes of burning embers, scorched earth, graphite, blueberries, blackberries and toasty vanillin, and a full-bodied mouthfeel. This rich, full offering is surprisingly backward. This cuvee should drink well in 5-6 years as one rarely has to wait a decade or more to enjoy Pape Clement. It should age for three decades or more. This 13th century vineyard situated in the suburbs of Pessac is owned by one of Bordeaux’s most interesting visionaries, Bernard Magrez. He has done a remarkable job in turning around this once moribund property that made a bevy of undrinkable wines into one of the superstars of Bordeaux. Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2047 01 March 2012
A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Pape Clement is not as dense or provocative as the 2005, but it is a worthy competitor. Tighter and more muscular than the 2005, the 2009 reveals an opaque purple color along with notes of graphite, blueberries, and blackberries, stunning richness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and tremendous length and intensity. Some patience will be required, and I do not believe this effort will achieve the near perfection of the 2005, but it is another winner in this extraordinary vintage. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine finished around 13.5% alcohol. (Tasted four times.) 95-97+ points Historically one of the oldest vineyards in Bordeaux (having once been owned by Pope Clement, who gets more credit for what he did in Chateauneuf du Pape than in Graves), this 700-year old Pessac vineyard has turned out another profound wine under the administration of proprietor Bernard Magrez. Score: 95 - 97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 27 April 2010
Ruby-purple. Vibrant blackcurrant, blackberry and smoke aromas show noteworthy depth and purity. Big and ripe on the palate, but with lovely balance to its black fruit and smoke flavors. The very long, pure finish features a lingering mineral streak and very fine tannins. This exceptional vintage of Pape Clement packs an amazing amount of concentration on a seemingly weightless frame. More important still, although it pushes the ripeness envelope as most of the wines of Bernard Magrez do, it manages to come across as refined and graceful, even though it's almost brutally powerful. Score: 93 - 96 Ian D'Agata, Vinous.com 01 May 2010
Pretty dark crimson. Hint of toastiness. Bone dry. Succulent. Real clarity and purity. Everything in the right place – dry but not drying finish. Wonderful balance. A real contrast to the white...! (Both tasted blind.) Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2030 02 April 2010
Bernard Magrez took over this property in the late nineties and is unstinting in his commitment to quality. The last few vintages have produced wines of stunning quality in a modern style. 60CS 40M. Very deep colour. Super-spicy, open and powerful nose. Thick and dense in the mouth with rich tarry fruit and a plush texture. Big and glamorous but still sophisticated. Score: 93 - 95 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010
Black red, excellent extraction of beautifully concentrated ripe blackcurrant fruit, great suppleness on attack and a beautiful fragrance, great polish, class and depth. Drink 2017-35. (18.5 points) Score: 18 - 19 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2035 01 April 2010
There's lovely density and beauty to this young wine, with tobacco, light vanilla, chocolate and ripe fruit. Full and polished, with velvety tannins. Long and reserved, but very, very serious. Score: 94 - 97 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 31 March 2010

Tasting Notes

The 2009 Pape-Clément is one of the few wines to comes across as a little dumb on the nose. It demands coaxing but eventually reveals lovely blackberry, raspberry, leather and sage aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, and fine bead of acidity. Grippy and quite masculine with a broad-shouldered, dense finish that suggests it will require a few years in bottle; it may be closing up. Great potential but wait. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2045 01 March 2019

Tasted at the chateau. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, cropped at 43hl/ha between 24th September and 21st October, this Pape-Clement has a ripe, how shall I say, almost “feline” nose that seems to purr with class. Very fine delineation and very focused. Just a touch of tobacco developing in the glass. The palate is full-bodied, dense and very weighty, bold but firm tannins, a more masculine Pape-Clement and beautifully balanced towards the finish. Very pure with a cool, refined finish. This is sophisticated and classy. Tasted April 2010.

Score: 94 - 96

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 31 March 2010

The red wine flight was a colossal showing for the 2009s, with perfect wines from Cos d'Estournel, La Mission Haut-Brion, Smith Haut Lafitte, Pape Clément and Haut-Brion. These amazing wines are not only showing their individual, singular terroir characteristics at age six, but the luxurious, extravagant richness and body of this vintage. As I have written and said publically many times, 2009 is the modern-day version of 1982, except much more consistent, as many more properties ratcheted up the level of quality by making stricter selections not only in the vineyard, but also in the winery as well.

Score: 100

Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com 01 January 2016

Although the 2009 Pape Clement may not be as sublime as the 2005 or 2000, but it is very close to those two efforts, and it will be fascinating to compare them (as well as the 2008 and 2010) over the following three decades. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc with a modest 13.5% alcohol, the 2009 reveals considerable structure and tannin along with tell-tale notes of burning embers, scorched earth, graphite, blueberries, blackberries and toasty vanillin, and a full-bodied mouthfeel. This rich, full offering is surprisingly backward. This cuvee should drink well in 5-6 years as one rarely has to wait a decade or more to enjoy Pape Clement. It should age for three decades or more. This 13th century vineyard situated in the suburbs of Pessac is owned by one of Bordeaux’s most interesting visionaries, Bernard Magrez. He has done a remarkable job in turning around this once moribund property that made a bevy of undrinkable wines into one of the superstars of Bordeaux.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2047 01 March 2012

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Pape Clement is not as dense or provocative as the 2005, but it is a worthy competitor. Tighter and more muscular than the 2005, the 2009 reveals an opaque purple color along with notes of graphite, blueberries, and blackberries, stunning richness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and tremendous length and intensity. Some patience will be required, and I do not believe this effort will achieve the near perfection of the 2005, but it is another winner in this extraordinary vintage. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine finished around 13.5% alcohol. (Tasted four times.) 95-97+ points Historically one of the oldest vineyards in Bordeaux (having once been owned by Pope Clement, who gets more credit for what he did in Chateauneuf du Pape than in Graves), this 700-year old Pessac vineyard has turned out another profound wine under the administration of proprietor Bernard Magrez.

Score: 95 - 97

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 27 April 2010

Ruby-purple. Vibrant blackcurrant, blackberry and smoke aromas show noteworthy depth and purity. Big and ripe on the palate, but with lovely balance to its black fruit and smoke flavors. The very long, pure finish features a lingering mineral streak and very fine tannins. This exceptional vintage of Pape Clement packs an amazing amount of concentration on a seemingly weightless frame. More important still, although it pushes the ripeness envelope as most of the wines of Bernard Magrez do, it manages to come across as refined and graceful, even though it's almost brutally powerful.

Score: 93 - 96

Ian D'Agata, Vinous.com 01 May 2010

Pretty dark crimson. Hint of toastiness. Bone dry. Succulent. Real clarity and purity. Everything in the right place – dry but not drying finish. Wonderful balance. A real contrast to the white...! (Both tasted blind.)

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2030 02 April 2010

Bernard Magrez took over this property in the late nineties and is unstinting in his commitment to quality. The last few vintages have produced wines of stunning quality in a modern style. 60CS 40M. Very deep colour. Super-spicy, open and powerful nose. Thick and dense in the mouth with rich tarry fruit and a plush texture. Big and glamorous but still sophisticated.

Score: 93 - 95

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010

Black red, excellent extraction of beautifully concentrated ripe blackcurrant fruit, great suppleness on attack and a beautiful fragrance, great polish, class and depth. Drink 2017-35. (18.5 points)

Score: 18 - 19

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2035 01 April 2010

There's lovely density and beauty to this young wine, with tobacco, light vanilla, chocolate and ripe fruit. Full and polished, with velvety tannins. Long and reserved, but very, very serious.

Score: 94 - 97

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 31 March 2010

Your Lists & Checkout

New Arrivals

Advanced Search

wine regions

quick links

Pape Clement 2009

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

search wines

Full wine List

RSS feeds

wine regions

join our mailing list