Chateau Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan Rouge 2012

Egentlig skulle Château Pape Clément have været jævnet med jorden, og der, hvor der i dag gror vinstokke, skulle der have været veje og boligblokke. Sådan blev det heldigvis ikke takket være digteren Paul Montagne, der erhvervede ejendommen i 1939. Han satte både vinkældrene og det dengang meget forfaldne slot i stand og begyndte samtidig et genplantningsprogram i vinmarkerne. Resultatet blev naturligvis forsinket af 2. Verdenskrig, men med 1953-årgangen var den fremtidige standard sat. I dag er det Montagnes efterkommere, der administrerer ejendommen sammen med milliardæren, Bernard Magrez, der ejer adskillige andre vingårde såvel indenfor som udenfor Bordeaux-distriktet. Et fællestræk for samtlige Bernard Magrez's overtagelser er, at han altid sætter et program sammen for at løfte den pågældende ejendom til det ekstreme, - uanset omkostningerne. Det samme har været tilfældet på Pape Clément, der i dag rangerer som en af hans ledestjerner.

Anmeldelser af Pape Clément Pessac-Leognan Grand cru Classé Rouge 2012

97/100 Robert Parker
” The iconic 2012 Pape Clement is a candidate for near-perfection as well as one of the wines of the vintage. From proprietor Bernard Magrez, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This extraordinary vineyard (a few miles to the west of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion) has hit all the highlights of this vintage. Interestingly, the quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012. This is truly great wine and not far off their magnificent 2005 and 2010. Full-bodied, with rich cassis, subtle burning embers and spice followed by velvety, well-integrated tannins, the wine is lush, expansive, savory and profound. This is a remarkable wine that could be drunk at a reasonably young age, but should cellar brilliantly for a quarter-century. Yields were modest at 37 hectoliters per hectare from this 132-acre estate. The alcohol level came in at 13.5%.”

95/100 Andreas Larsson, Tasted
“Smoky and roasted notes with coffee, mineral, dark berries, cassis and spice. Very nice structure, rounded and opulent with enjoyable dark smoky fruit, rich and unctuous with silky tannin, very long and juicy finish, very good.”

94/100 Wine Spectator
“Densely packed, with lots of dark steeped currant, fig and blackberry fruit, slowly melding with muscular licorice snap, bramble, singed bay and ganache notes. The long, dark, ganache-coated finish isn't shy, but an enticing rusticity keeps this honest. A large-scaled wine that has really powered up since the barrel tasting.”

94/100 Jeb Dunnuck
“Offering perfumed notes of spice box, dried red and black currants, cigar wrapper, toasted bread and leather, the 2012 Pape Clement is medium to full-bodied, silky, elegant, and beautifully pure on the palate, with no hard edges, a seamless, voluptuous texture and a classy finish. It's already approachable, but it should evolve nicely on its overall balance.”

94/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2012 Pape Clement is one of racier, more voluptuous wines of the year. Deep, supple and flamboyant, the 2012 is laced with expressive dark stone fruit, game, cured meats and dried flowers. This is one of the more extroverted wines of the year. It should drink well with minimal cellaring and drink well to age 20-25. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. This is another strong 2012 from proprietor Bernard Magrez and Michel Rolland”

94/100 Gilbert & Gaillard
” Beautiful deep ruby. Focused nose with lovely depth and black fruit aromas. Savoury tannin grain on the palate. Elegant attack. Aroma is nicely showcased. Aromatic finish that is already very open.”

94/100 Tastingbook.com

93-94/100 Vert de Vin Magazine
” A lovely fruit concentration. The nose shows notes of dark fruits (cassis, blackberry, black cherry) associated with toasty notes, hawthorn and spices (eg pepper). The palate is creamy, fresh , mineral , structured and fruity. He develops the same notes of ripe black fruits associated with some small red fruits, to plum as well as grilled and spicy notes. The final proved a pretty good finesse and length.”

93/100 Wine Enthusiast
”Concentrated and rich, this has fine tannins that are integrated into the big plum fruits. It's a black-fruited wine that has both the fruit and the structure to allow it to age well.”

93/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Earth, truffle, tobacco and smoke work perfectly with the lush, sweet, ripe blackberries and espresso character that this soft, plush wine serves up in spades. There is good freshness and character to the fruit from start to finish. The wine was produced from a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”

93/100 Tim Atkin MW