Chateau Pape Clement Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 2023

Based on 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2023 Château Pape Clément has a deep purple hue as well as a sensational perfume of cassis, darker berries, crushed stone, graphite, violets, and subtle smoky tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, pure, and layered on the palate, it has polished tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. It’s a classic, seamless Pape Clément that already offers pleasure yet has the structure and depth to evolve for 30 years. Drink 2026-2056.

This is really classy with length and polish that shine brightly. Also, you see blackberry, bark, currant and mushroom character. Full-bodied with wonderfully polished tannins and a seamless finish.

The 2023 Pape Clément is raised in around 36% new oak with use of Clayver, foudres and concrete tanks. This has an attractive bouquet, admirable purity, raspberry and cranberry scents, a touch of mulberry and light Italian herb scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a keen line of acidity, quite sapid in style with a classically styled finish that would surprise those accustomed to the more hedonic wines produced in the past.

Inky depths to the plum colour; as is often the case with Pape Clement even under the new regime of the past few vintages where new oak has been lowered. Delivers an exuberant, confident estate signature, supple texture, roasted black cherry and cherry pit, cocoa bean, espresso, a cushion of air helps give a lift on the finish to what is a fairly highly charged architecture. 35hl/ha yield.

The 2023 Pape Clement has a deep garnet-purple color. The nose is very shut down to begin, needing a lot of shaking to wake up notes of stewed plums, crème de cassis, and blueberry preserves, plus suggestions of tar, licorice, dried herbs and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and juicy, textured by fine-grained tannins, finishing with impressive tension and length.

The 2023 Pape Clement evokes aromas of dark wild berries, spices, licorice and mulberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and ample palate with structuring tannins and a firm, concentrated mid-palate that segues into a long, fruity finish. Less oaky than the previous years, this is a more contemporary expression of this great terroir. It's a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.