A prestigiousGrand Cru Classe de Graveslocated south ofBordeaux,Chateau Pape Clmenthas achieved another beautiful vintage with the 2018.

Produced in thePessac-Leognanappellation, theChateau Pape Clment 2018is made from the vineyards of the estate, spread over 67 hectares, in the communes of Pessac and Gradignan.

To make the top wine of Chateau Pape Clment, the most beautiful fruit was selected through a series of rigorous trials, first in the vineyard, then with a manual sorting at the table. The juices were then added to oak vats with gravity. The pigeage of the wines was done entirely by hand. Once the maceration had been completed, the juices were poured directly into French oak casks and barrels by gravity.

99 Points –Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Chteau Pape Clement from Bernard Magrez is a gorgeous wine that’s performing even better from bottle than barrel, which is always a good sign. Deep ruby/purple, with stunning crme de cassis and blackberry fruits as well as kaleidoscope-like notes of graphite, scorched earth, smoke, violets, and spring flowers, it offers full-bodied richness yet stays light on its feet, graceful, and almost ethereal on the palate, with integrated acidity and building yet seamless tannin’s. The Cabernet Sauvignon really sings at this point, and there’s almost a Mdoc-like regalness here. Reminding me of a slightly more elegant 2005 (it also has similarities to the 2016), it will benefit from 4-6 years in the cellar and keep for 30+ years.