Chateau Pape Clement Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 2010

I certainly underrated the 2010 Pape Clement from barrel, rating it only 93-95+. Thank God I put a “plus” there!) Having tasted it four times in Bordeaux, and rating it perfect three times and 99 the fourth time, this final blend of 51% Merlot, 47.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1.5% Petit Verdot is perfection in a bottle. Tipping the scales at 14.5% natural alcohol, there are 8,000 cases of it. Its sublime elegance, the power, the medium to full-bodied texture, the silky tannins, the subtle notes of smoke, lead pencil shavings, black currants, charcoal, camphor, blueberry and cassis fruit are all remarkable. It is a rich, full-throttle wine, but the elegance and the great terroir of Pape Clement come through in abundance. It is slightly more developed and evolved than the 2005 was at a similar point in its evolution, but it certainly needs another 5-7 years to develop further nuances, which it surely will. This wine will last 30-40+ years.

Kudos to proprietor Bernard Magrez, who has built an empire based on high quality more than any other characteristic.
Bernard Magrez’s flagship estate continues to produce consistently beautiful wines and that includes his sensational 2010. The fruit was harvested between September 24 and October 20, and the result is an opaque purple-colored blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that achieved 13.5% alcohol naturally. Subtle notions of smoke, graphite, oak, black cherries and blackberries jump from the glass of this impressively perfumed claret.

Medium to full-bodied, strikingly elegant and less thick and intense than a structured vintage such as 2005, the 2010 possesses remarkably sweet tannin sweeter than the 2005) as well as a full-bodied, long finish. It should be drinkable at an early age and keep for 20-25 years.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Pape Clement comes wafting sensuously from the glass with fragrant notions of dried roses, Chinese five spice and sandalwood over a core of kirsch, warm cassis and plum preserves plus a touch of cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the perfumed fruit through the incredibly long finish.

Extremely closed, this has a wall of muscular tannins and maintains its monolithic expression even two years after I last tasted it. Keep checking in, because this is a stunning wine, with sweet liquorice, graphite, crayon, cassis, grilled herbs, , with the smoke and grilled herb quality Look to the 2009 if drinking soon, but this one will go the distance. 32hl/h yield, 100% new oak, Michel Rolland consultant.

Very chewy, with wonderful blueberry and mineral character. Hints of mint too. Full and super classy. Love the texture of the tannins. Hyper-refined in texture.

The 2010 Pape Clément has a gorgeous bouquet with vibrant red berry fruit, camphor, raspberry preserve and just a hint of marmalade - very seductive and classy. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins and good density, as you would expect. Whilst a little grainy in texture it feels structured with tarry black fruit, although I would have liked to see a touch more persistence on the aftertaste. As such, leave it for another three or four years because it has a lot of potential. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.

(62% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot and 1% cabernet franc; 14.4% alcohol) Deep ruby-purple. Perfumed aromas of strawberry, spicy plum and black cherry. Enters fresh, dense and juicy, with lovely balance to the sweet, syrupy black fruit flavors and lively acidity that extend the rich aftertaste. The long, clean finish features lingering notes of violet and blackcurrant and extremely polished tannins. A great wine and one of the stars of the vintage in 2010: I can't recall a better Pape Clement at a similar stage of development. I've taken issue with this wine in the past for overextraction, but this struck me as by far the most balanced Pape-Clement I've ever tasted. Michel Rolland consults here.

(62% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot and 1% cabernet franc; 14.4% alcohol) Deep ruby-purple. Perfumed aromas of strawberry, spicy plum and black cherry. Enters fresh, dense and juicy, with lovely balance to the sweet, syrupy black fruit flavors and lively acidity that extend the rich aftertaste. The long, clean finish features lingering notes of violet and blackcurrant and extremely polished tannins. A great wine and one of the stars of the vintage in 2010: I can't recall a better Pape Clement at a similar stage of development. I've taken issue with this wine in the past for overextraction, but this struck me as by far the most balanced Pape-Clement I've ever tasted. Michel Rolland consults here.