2020 Chateau Pape Clement Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan

Jancis Robinson (JR)

Cask sample. Benefits from oak influence to match the ripe, candied fruit. Maintains an essential fresh, grassy note to provide structure and lift. Vibrant and lengthy, with proper, thirst-quenching refreshment. (RH) - 05/10/2021

Wine Advocate (WA)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Pape Clement comes barreling out of the glass with bold notes of cassis, plum preserves and licorice, giving way to scents of cedar chest, crushed rocks, charcoal and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly coiled with beautiful tension and a firm, finely grained texture locking in the layers of black fruits and minerals, finishing with great length and energy. The blend this year is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, aging mainly in French oak barriques, 66% new, with about 10% aging in large oak foudres. The wine will spend approximately 18 months in barrels. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 04/17/2021

Vinous Media (VM)

The 2020 Pape Clément Rouge has an incredibly intense bouquet with multi-layered blackberry and bilberry fruit, cedar and black olive compote aromas. Hints of vanilla pod and black truffle emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firm and quite assertive tannins that frame a huge weight of fruit (more than Domaine de Chevalier or Malartic-Lagravière tasted alongside). It's not a subtle Pessac-Léognan for sure, but there is adequate freshness and a sense of mineralité and tension on the finish. It will require at least a decade in bottle but long-term, this will be magnificent. - Neal Martin - 02/08/2023