| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
The rare dry white wine of Chateau Pape Clement is made from around 50:50 Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle.
Aromas of pineapple, peaches and apple pie with stone. Deep and intense, yet always subtle in the nose. Full-bodied, layered and very flavorful. However, it stays focused and precise in the mouth and at the finish. Serious length. Still needs three or four years to come together. Better after 2022.
The white 2017 Pape Clement shoots out of the glass with fragrant notes of apricots, honeysuckle, and orange blossoms, followed by hints of crushed rocks and lemongrass. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers satin-textured stone fruit layers, with a lovely line and great length.
This has a tautness and an intensity to it, with extremely well placed citrus and white peach flesh, a lick of fresh slate and some wet stones. Good quality.
Drinking Window 2020 - 2030
Rich lemon and grapefruit on the nose. Full and broad on the palate but with much better freshness than in the past. Powerful but not heavy. Has the lovely waxy depth that the Sémillon brings. Full in the mouth. Lovely sour-citrus finish. This is really a revolution and a massive improvement in style.
Drink 2020-2027
Smoky, rich and tropical on the nose, this is powerful and modern. Barbecued pineapple, honeyed peach and mango pair with sweet vanilla and cinnamon. The palate is powerful and round, with more tropical, exotic fruits and sweet vanilla. This is full and rich, with an unctuous texture and generous sweetness of fruit make for a full bodied style. This is powerful and long on the finish, with a crisp acidity on the finish that brings a balance to the exotic style.
Light and bright the nose is fragrant with lime and lemon the start of the palate firm. Richer in the middle a touch of pineapple sweet fruit at the back gives way to citrus freshness on the finish. 2021-35
There is an exotic almost musky note about this juicy wine which is beguiling and while I don’t normally like this style of wine with too much fat and structure this young in its existence, there is something fascinating about the richness and scent here. A truly hedonistic treat, this is a rather attractive wine.
The 2017 Pape-Clément Blanc, 15% aged in concrete eggs, needs a little aeration, eventually revealing dried honey, praline and almond aromas, a little earthier than previous vintages. The palate is very well balanced with a lightly spiced entry. There is a fine bead of acidity here, quite saline in the mouth. I find the oak is better integrated than previous vintages, ergo, I suspect that this will age in fine fashion. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2022-2040.
The 2017 Pape Clément Blanc was picked from 30 August to 14 September, 15% of the production is aged in 8-hectolitre egg-shaped concrete vats and Burgundy barrels (30% new) for a total élevage of 14 months. The nose offers citrus fruit, kaffir lime and white flower scents that need a little encouragement from the glass. The palate is well balanced with a fine line of acidity. Freshly squeezed lime with white peach and a touch of mango lead to a crisp, lemongrass-tinged finish. 2020 - 2030
This is so serious with incredible density and a chewy texture. Focused and tight. Layered and fascinating. Lots of minerals and lemon rind. Great young white. Can’t wait to see it after its elevage.
The Pape Clement 2017 Blanc (composed of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon) has loads of exotic fruit—pineapple, green guava and passion fruit—with crushed stones, fragrant herbs and mandarin peel hints. The palate is medium-bodied, intense and racy with a long, pure, exotic fruit finish.
Drink Date
2021 - 2033
A blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon, the Pape Clement 2017 Blanc gives up profound notes of apricots, spiced pears and apple tart with suggestions of orange blossoms, fresh ginger and beeswax. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of tightly wound, intense stone fruit and spicy layers supported by fantastic freshness, finishing very long.
