Description

First sorting in the vineyard. Hand-picked grain by grain and sorted on a table. Gravity-fed into 30 to 70 hl wooden vats. Pre-fermentation maceration at a low temperature of 8°C. Manual punching of the cap. Maceration time: 30 to 40 days. Direct run-off into French oak barrels by gravity. Malolactic fermentation in barrels. Aged for 18 months in barrels.

Features

The estate

Located on the outskirts of Bordeaux, Château Pape Clément is one of the oldest wine estates in the region, since the first grapes were harvested in 1252. Château Pape Clément owes its name to Pope Clement V, who passionately managed his vineyard before donating it to the Archbishop of Bordeaux. It was then known as the "Vignes du Pape Clément". In 1983, Bernard Magrez, the tireless builder and composer of rare wines, bought the estate. Bernard Magrez, who now owns 4 Grands Crus Classés in Bordeaux, has devoted all his energy and determination to raising Château Pape Clément to the rank of Bordeaux's elite Grands Crus. In 2009, the American wine critic Robert Parker awarded Château Pape Clément a score of 100/100.

The vineyard

Château Pape Clément is a Pessac-Léognan wine from a 61-hectare vineyard. The vines are 28 years old on average, and are planted on Pyrenean clay gravel soils. The vineyard is managed on a micro-parcel basis. The Château Pape Clément estate has been awarded High Environmental Value 3, EMS and Bee-Friendly certification.

The vintage

A warm, wet winter gave way to a cool, rainy spring marked by frost. Summer was cool and wet.

Vinification and ageing

Initial sorting in the vineyard, followed by a second manual sorting of bunches and optical sorting of berries. Transfer to wooden and stainless steel vats of 25 to 70 hl by gravity. Pre-fermentation maceration at low temperature. Manual punching downs accompany the 28-day maceration to refine the extraction. Direct run-off into French oak barrels and foudres. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels (2/3 new and 1/3 from one wine). The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (90%) and foudres (10%).

Blend

• 56% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 40% Merlot
• 4% Cabernet Franc

Specs

• Country : France
• Region : Bordeaux
• Sub-region : Graves
• Appellation : Pessac-Léognan
• Best before: 2027 to 2065
• Tasting temperature : 16-18°C
• Alcohol content : 13%

Ratings

• James Suckling: 95/100
• Vinous: 92-94/100
• Robert Parker: 91-94/100

Good to know

• DeinDeal AG price per liter: CHF 82.-
• Price per liter (RRP): CHF 121.11
• Abuse of alcohol is dangerous for your health, please consume in moderation.