98
Jeb Dunnuck Tasting Note
As for the Grand Vin 2019 Château Pape Clément, it shows a dense purple hue with stunning aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, pencil shavings, scorched earth, and tobacco. Beautifully balanced, with flawless tannins, this full-bodied Pessac has that rare mix of elegance and power, a great mid-palate, and again, perfect balance. It’s one of the gems of the vintage and already offers some accessibility thanks to its purity and balance, yet it deserves 4–5 years of bottle age and will cruise for 20–25 years or more in cold cellars. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged two-thirds in new French oak.
94
Wine Spectator Tasting Note
Quite rich, with an exotic hint to the boysenberry, plum and mulberry fruit flavors, which are carried by a velvety structure. Features a very stylish backdrop of apple wood, anise and fruitcake notes that adds more bling. This doesn't have the drive for serious cellaring, but it's still pretty gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2023 through 2035. 16,650 cases made.
97
Vinous Tasting Note
The 2019 Pape Clément is a fabulous wine. Rich, exotic and sweet in its grandeur, the 2019 captivates all the senses with its dazzling beauty. The 2019 is a wine of statuesque proportions that impresses with its intensity. Dark fruit, spice, pear, tobacco and gravel all explode out of the glass. There is so much to look forward to here. What a wine. Tasted three times.
97
James Suckling Tasting Note
Crushed-stone and berry aromas with some blackberry and black-tea character. Just a touch of smokiness. Sweet fruit, too. This is so refined, subtle, and beautiful for Pape with full body, ultra-fine tannins and a succulent finish. The center-palate is dense and complete. Goes on for minutes. So subtle and refined, focused and classy.
98
Wine Advocate Tasting Note
Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, the 2019 Pape Clement was harvested from September 18 to October 11. Ninety-three percent is aging in French oak barriques, 66% new, and 7% is aging in large foudres. Deep garnet-purple in color, it hits the ground running with bold, expressive notes of warm cassis, boysenberries and black cherries, with an undercurrent of clove oil, fertile loam, cedar chest and tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers a rock-solid foundation of firm, ripe, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting densely packed black fruit and earthy layers, finishing very long with a mineral-laced edge.