A prime example of Bordeaux expertise, the Château Pape Clément 2018, Grand Cru Classé of Graves, follows in the line of legendary wines crafted with patience and precision. From the unique terroir of Pessac-Léognan, this vintage magnifies the identity of the estate founded in 1252 and now steered by the vision of Bernard Magrez. The duo offered here, in a refined presentation, invites a sensual and structured tasting: a moment of contemplation where substance, freshness and aromatic brightness unite with majesty. Driven by meticulous winemaking, 18 months of oak ageing and a careful parcel selection, 2018 reveals itself as ample, noble and intensely expressive. Discerning enthusiasts will find a wine for conversation, cellar aging and gastronomy, a wine celebrated by international critics.

Blend and vinification

A union of balance and depth, the blend combines Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Merlot (30%) and Cabernet Franc (4%). The grapes, hand-sorted with artisanal care, undergo traditional winemaking where manual punch-downs promote noble extraction and precise texture. The wine is then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels and casks to refine the texture and enrich complexity without masking the eloquence of the fruit. Planted on gravelly clay soils of Pyrenean origin, the vineyard, measuring about 67 hectares, expresses the mineral thread that signs great Pessac-Léognan wines. The alcohol content of this vintage reaches 14.5% vol., a sign of fully achieved ripeness perfectly balanced by a structuring freshness. The precision of each gesture, from selection to ageing, delivers an architecturally built wine designed to endure and to shine at the table.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Deep purple with garnet highlights, edged by a sustained brilliance that announces the density of the material and the concentration of the vintage.
• Nose: A complex bouquet dominated by blackcurrant and black cherry, joined by accents of blond tobacco, fine leather and a subtle touch of tar. A signature of minerality, characteristic of the gravelly terroir, stretches the aromatic profile with distinction.
• Palate: Broad, satin-like entry, chiselled tannins, a straight and deep backbone. Dark fruit mingles with smoky and spicy inflections; the élevage brings relief without heaviness. Long, vibrant finish with a rare balance between power and freshness.

Serving temperature and advice

Decant to reveal the full depth of its palette, then serve between 16 and 18°C in large appropriate glasses to favour aromatic expressiveness and silky tannic texture. Store in a stable cellar, away from light and fluctuations, to preserve the integrity of the structure and the harmony of the aromas. The nobility of the blend, the controlled ageing and the brightness of the vintage give this wine a remarkable ageing potential, ideal for following its evolution towards more tertiary notes and even greater complexity.

Food pairings

• Canapés: thin bites of marinated beef, shavings of matured ham, gougères with aged Comté.
• Starters: puff pastry tart with foie gras, veal tartare with Pantelleria capers, confit mushrooms.
• Main courses: dry-aged rib of beef, roasted pigeon with reduced jus, black truffle risotto.
• Cheeses: Comté 36 months, sheep tomme, extra-old Mimolette.
• Desserts: slightly sweet grand cru chocolate fondant, spiced poached pears.

Tasting occasions

This Grand Cru Classé, lauded by critics, is invited where every detail matters and where emotion guides the tasting.

• To celebrate a prestigious occasion with elegance and restraint.
• At a fine dining dinner where noble meats and culinary precision converse with the wine.
• As an exceptional gift, to give to a knowledgeable enthusiast or to lay down in a cellar.

Characteristics

• Name: Château Pape Clément 2018, Grand Cru Classé de Graves
• Appellation: Pessac-Léognan AOC
• Type: Bordeaux red wine
• Vintage: 2018
• Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 66%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 4%
• Alcohol content: 14.5% vol.
• Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels and casks
• Terroir: Gravelly clay soils of Pyrenean origin
• Vineyard: about 67 hectares
• Classification: Grand Cru Classé de Graves
• Estate: founded in 1252, run by Bernard Magrez
• Ratings: Parker 96+, James Suckling 97, Vinous 96, Wine Spectator 96, Decanter 94