2018 Château Pape Clément Blanc, Pessac-Léognan

2018 Château Pape Clément Blanc, Pessac-Léognan

The attack here is rich and powerful, with notes of ripe peach, apricot, and a hint of greengage. While such a flavour profile could risk being overblown, here phenolic bitterness keeps everything in check, and it finishes with a charming, mouthwatering finish.

Critic score
95/100 info

This wine is now sold out. Please get in touch with your advisor or one of our team on [email protected] or 01473 313 300 for more information or guidance on an alternative.

Wine details

  • Region & country
    Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
  • Grape
    74% Sauvignon Blanc
    22% Semillon
    3% Sauvignon Gris
    1% Muscadelle
  • Maturity
    Ready 2020 - 2028info
  • Colour
    White
  • Sweetness
    Dry
  • Style
    Still
  • Unit Volume
    Bottle (75cl.)
  • ABV
    13%

Tasting notes

The Pape Clement 2018 Blanc slips languidly from the glass with tropical notes of warm pineapples, fresh mango and green guava plus hints of nutmeg, orange blossoms, lanolin and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it is absolutely laden with tropical fruit and spice layers, with a racy line to support and long, opulent finish. The blend is 57% Sauvignon Blanc, 39% Sémillon and 4% Muscadelle. Anticipated aging regimen is 14 months in 55% new and 45% second-fill French oak barrels.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (April 2019)
(94—96+)/100

This is a cylinder of dense fruit and phenolic intensity, yet it remains agile and vivid with cooked-apple, honey and cream character, compounding the fantastic texture and structure. A great white with the same gravitas as a red.

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (April 2019)
(98—99)/100

The 2018 Pape Clément Blanc is laced with white flowers, mint, passion fruit, apricot and chamomile. Here, too, the more restrained style that is typical at the estate these days is very much in evidence. The blend is 57% Sauvignon Blanc, 39% Sémillon and 4% Muscadelle, all fermented in oak, including larger 500-liter and 10HL foudres. Larger format oak adds an element of tension and brightness that is super intriguing.

Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (April 2019)
(90—93)/100

Also from this producer

Pricing
info