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chateau pape clement cru classe, pessac-leognan 2017
JAMES SUCKLING
96
JEB DUNNUCK
93

2017 chateau pape clement cru classe, pessac-leognan

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Why We're Buying

Château Pape Clément is the oldest wine estate in Bordeaux and a powerhouse among red and white wine producers. Even a place as renowned as Château Pape Clément can benefit from some good PR, though. In 2010, wine critic Robert Parker gave the grand vin the magic 100-point rating, and within a year, the price jumped from $1,270 to $2,170 (70.9).

Critics Scores

JAMES SUCKLING
96

James Suckling

Beautiful spice, tobacco, wet earth and blackcurrants with some raspberries. Aromatic and complex. Full-bodied, refined and layered with wonderful length and power. Yet, there’s always class and pretty length here. Seamless. Drink after 2022.

JEB DUNNUCK
93

Jeb Dunnuck

Checking in as a blend of 55 Cabernet Sauvignon and 45 Merlot that was brought up in 60 new French oak, the 2017 Chateau Pape Clement is going to check in behind the brilliant 2015 and 2016, but it's nevertheless a brilliant wine from this estate worth having in the cellar. Great notes of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, gravelly earth, mocha, and hints of licorice all flow to a medium to full-bodied wine that has remarkable purity of fruit as well as polished tannins. It builds nicely with time in the glass and reminds me of a toned-down version of the 2016. This complex, elegant, flawlessly balanced Pessac can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for 15-20 years.

ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE
94

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Pape Clement is composed of 55 Cabernet Sauvignon and 45 Merlot, with a nose that is slightly closed at this youthful stage—broody and earthy with baked plums, boysenberries and mulberries aromas plus touches of iron ore, tobacco, tapenade and charcuterie. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant with exquisitely ripe tannins, lovely energy and freshness and a long, mineral-laced finish. Rating: 94+

DECANTER
92

Decanter

I have found that Magrez estates have done exceptionally well in 2017, pretty much across the board, but here I feel a reach towards the barrel that is just the slightest bit out of step with the ripeness of the fruit. The tannins are flexible and in control, but it just lacks a touch of the opulence in the black fruits that was so abundant in 2015 and 2016. There is no doubt that it has been very well constructed, and it will age confidently in the medium to long term.

TIM ATKIN
95

Tim Atkin

Intense and rich spicy fruit aromas. Chocolate and coffee intensity and richness. Very deep concentrated fruit. Elegant and powerful, complex. No green, but a freshness. Long.

WINE ENTHUSIAST
94

Wine Enthusiast

This solid, densely textured wine has fine tannins that match richness in the blackberry fruits. It is classically structured, suggesting an elegant, ripe and impressive future. Drink from 2023.

WINE SPECTATOR
95

Wine Spectator

Very rich, featuring warm cassis and plum puree flavors, laced with singed wood spice, melted licorice and black tea notes. Reveals a tarry hint, but this stays decidedly modern and polished in feel, with the fruit cruising through the finish with authority. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2038.