2009 Chateau Pape Clement Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 1x750ml

Robert Parker 93

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Pape-Clement has a comparatively feminine nose with lifted macerated dark cherries, cassis, briary and a touch of vanilla from the oak. It has lovely delineation and purity. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, rounded tannins. This is a “big” wine, but it manages to retain fine balance and the lingering sweet finish is very convincing. It needs several years in the cellar, but it has so much potential. Tasted January 2013. [Neal Martin, 01/01/2013]

Vinous 93-96

Ruby-purple. Vibrant blackcurrant, blackberry and smoke aromas show noteworthy depth and purity. Big and ripe on the palate, but with lovely balance to its black fruit and smoke flavors. The very long, pure finish features a lingering mineral streak and very fine tannins. This exceptional vintage of Pape Clement packs an amazing amount of concentration on a seemingly weightless frame. More important still, although it pushes the ripeness envelope as most of the wines of Bernard Magrez do, it manages to come across as refined and graceful, even though it’s almost brutally powerful. [Ian D’Agata, 01/05/2010]