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Pape Clement 2011

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The 2011 Pape Clement, a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, was aged 18 months in new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. Absolutely profound, with a complex bouquet of mulberries, black cherries, black currants, graphite and subtle smoke and burning ember-like aromas, this is a true super-star of the vintage. It represents a remarkable achievement by the winemaking team of Bernard Magrez. Full-bodied, rich and multidimensional, this wine clearly transcends the entire vintage. It should age effortlessly for 25 years.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2014-2039 01 April 2014

I had the 2011 Pape Clement on four separate occasions and there was a slight sample variation, but this seems to be a fair estimate of its potential. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the rest tiny proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2011 offers notes of lead pencil shavings, charcoal, barbecue meat, black cherries, black currants and plum sauce. This is a medium to full-bodied, dense as well as strikingly elegant and precise wine. The purity, palate presence and potentially complex aromatics always stand out in a Pape Clement. This example should drink well for 15-24 years. This great terroir, which is basically within a suburb on the southern outskirts of Bordeaux only 2-3 miles from Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion, is just over 100 acres.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2036 27 April 2012

The 2011 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot cropped between 16th September and 7th October. It has a very refined bouquet with ripe blackberry, briary, crushed stone and graphite, almost Pauillac in style with impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, good acidity and much more substance than I was expecting. It is a Pape Clement whose byword is: panache. It is supremely well put together, very harmonious with a seamless finish that slips down the throat. Unashamedly modern in style as one would expect, but it is very well crafted. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2012

Fragrant and lifted black summer fruits, very good natural ripeness and rather tough tannins that need time to show elegance and polish for the long term.

Score: 17

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2035 16 April 2012

Nothing is reined in here, with lots of roasted apple wood and mesquite aromas that lead to dark, plush blackberry and plum paste notes. Rich and broad, but well-detailed, this pounds its chest a bit, but it's impressively done.

Score: 92 - 95

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 11 April 2012

The nose of violets, warm stone and blueberries is very impressive. Full body, with chewy tannins and a firm finish. Outstanding but like to see a little more fruit in the mid-palate. Chewy.

Score: 90 - 91

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2012