Château Pape Clement, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, 2012

Overview of the Wine
Chateau Pape Clément owes its name to its most illustrious owner. A man of the cloth born in 1264, Bertrand de Goth became Bishop of Comminges, in the Pyrenees Mountains, at the age of 31; he later became Archbishop of Bordeaux in 1299.

He then received as a gift the property in Pessac, the Vineyard de La Mothe. Taken by a passion for the vine, he continually took part personally in equipping, organizing and managing the domain in accordance with the most modern and rational practices. Nevertheless, on 5 June 1305 the cardinals met in a conclave in Pérouse and appointed him to succeed Pope Benedict XI, who had passed away prematurely after only eleven months of reign. Bertrand de Goth took the name of Clement V.

Supported by Philip IV, it was he who decided in 1309 to move the papal court to Avignon, thus breaking with Rome and its battles of influence. During this same period, the weight of his responsibilities led him to relinquish his property, giving it to the Archbishop of Bordeaux. Henceforward, the vineyard was to be known to posterity under the name of this enlightened pope.

8 June 1937 was a dark day in the vineyard's history, when a violent hailstorm destroyed virtually the entirety of the estate. Two years later, Paul Montagne bought it and gradually brought it back to life. Thanks to his efforts, the vineyard returned to its former rank and stood up to the surge in urbanization. His descendents, Léo Montagne and Bernard Magrez, perpetuate this secular tradition so that Chateau Pape Clément wines continue to delight the wine-lovers of today and tomorrow.

Winemakers
Léo Montagne and Bernard Magrez

Grape / Blend
51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc

Origin
Paussac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The wine is a ruby red color of good density, with brown, mahogany, and tile-red highlights. It retains its brilliance and clarity. The disk is quite thick. The tears are fine and well-marked, abundant, and regular. The nose appears expressive, frank, and complex. We note all sorts of fragrance families: fruit, floral, and spicy.

The attack is frank, round and smooth, even caressing. Intense aromas initially recall the complex sensations perceived on the nose. There is a scent of leather and lightly burnt wood, notes of roasting. The beauty of the vintage reveals elegance, more than volume. The wine displays a beautiful aromatic amplitude. As for the finish, it is remarkably elegant.

97 Points - Wine Advocate
The iconic 2012 Pape Clement is a candidate for near-perfection as well as one of the wines of the vintage. From proprietor Bernard Magrez, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This extraordinary vineyard (a few miles to the west of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion) has hit all the highlights of this vintage. Interestingly, the quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012. This is truly great wine and not far off their magnificent 2005 and 2010. Full-bodied, with rich cassis, subtle burning embers and spice followed by velvety, well-integrated tannins, the wine is lush, expansive, savory and profound. This is a remarkable wine that could be drunk at a reasonably young age, but should cellar brilliantly for a quarter-century. Yields were modest at 37 hectoliters per hectare from this 132-acre estate. (RP)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Offering perfumed notes of spice box, dried red and black currants, cigar wrapper, toasted bread and leather, the 2012 Pape Clement is medium to full-bodied, silky, elegant, and beautifully pure on the palate, with no hard edges, a seamless, voluptuous texture and a classy finish. It's already approachable, but it should evolve nicely on its overall balance. 

94 Points - James Suckling
A fascinating white with dried-apple, pineapple and mango character. Hints of vanilla, too. Full body, fresh acidity and a layered and structured finish. Very serious for the vintage.

94 Points - Vinous
The 2012 Pape Clement is one of the racier, more voluptuous wines of the year. Deep, supple and flamboyant, the 2012 is laced with expressive dark stone fruit, game, cured meats and dried flowers. This is one of the more extroverted wines of the year. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. This is another strong 2012 from proprietor Bernard Magrez and Michel Rolland. (AG)

94 Points - Wine Spectator
Densely packed, with lots of dark steeped currant, fig and blackberry fruit, slowly melding with muscular licorice snap, bramble, singed bay and ganache notes. The long, dark, ganache-coated finish isn’t shy, but an enticing rusticity keeps this honest. A large-scaled wine that has really powered up since the barrel tasting. (JM)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Concentrated and rich, this has fine tannins that are integrated into the big plum fruits. It’s a black-fruited wine that has both the fruit and the structure to allow it to age well. (RV)

92 Points - Jane Anson
Tertiary notes of leather, earth, truffle, blueberry and raspberry fruits. Enjoyable, but more evolved than the last time I tasted this vintage ex-cellar. It's an enjoyable wine, soft and sappy, and easy to recommend. 100% new oak, Michel Rolland consultant.

91 Points - Decanter
Beautifully concentrated red and black fruits, an elegantly polished wine to be expected from Pape-Clement, satiny texture, very good future. (SS)

Product size: 750ml