By Chateau Pape Clement
Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classe 2022

History
Chateau Pape Clement is one of the oldest Grands Crus in Bordeaux, with 770 years of viticultural history. Vines were planted by Bertrand de Got in the 13th century. Archbishop of Bordeaux, he was elected pope in 1305, taking the name Clement V. The Chateau is named after its illustrious founder. The estate can take pride in having produced wine on the same land since 1252.

Vineyard Details
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation: Pessac-Leognan
Planting Density: 7,700 vines
Average Vine Age: 28 years
Soil: Pyrenean clay-gravel layer from the late Pliocene and Quaternary period; Merlot grows on clay to the east and Cabernets on gravel to the west
Planted Grape Varieties: 51% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Vintage Details
Winter: Mild and wet
Spring: Warm and dry (despite an early frost)
Summer: Dry and sun-drenched
Yield: 35 hl/ha

Production Details
Drastic sorting of the berries. Fermentation with selected native yeast. Precision work using a variety of vessels to enhance each batch. Barrels selected according to the characteristics of each vintage.
[Information provided by Beyerman]

Wine: 2022 Pape Clement
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2029 - 2059
Review Date: 06/05/2025
Reviewed By: Chris Kissack
Tasting Notes: This blend of the 2022 Pape-Clement is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon (although I did see wildly different figures presented at one tasting, so who knows? - I settled on the most reliable source). I like the aromatics here, which combine desiccated and delicately high-toned berry fruits with striking scents of violets, crushed chalk, blackberry and matchstick, and while they have certain appeal I cannot help but feel they seem a little advanced. Nevertheless, this translates onto a rather classy and nicely polished palate, with a rich core of dried cherry, currant and cranberry fruits, the restrained maturity of the Merlots coming through here, allowing the Cabernet to shine, with a polished texture, supported by a rich core of chocolate-laced tannins and smoky, smouldering oak. It finishes long and structured, with plenty of lingering tannic grip. This is classically Pape-Clément in style, and it will need ten or fifteen years to come good, but it promises much. Tasted three times. The alcohol on the label is 14%.

Wine: 2022 Chateau Pape Clement
Score/Rating: 98+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2065
Review Date: 02/27/2025
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes: Black raspberries, cassis, graphite, scorched earth, and violet notes are just some of the nuances in the 2022 Chateau Pape Clement, a gorgeously textured, layered, seamless 2022. It's flawlessly balanced, has a class of tannins that's second to none, is full-bodied, has terrific concentration, and has a gorgeous finish. This classic, seamless, elegant, sensational layered, multi-dimensional Pessac will have 40 years of prime drinking.

Wine: 2022 Chateau Pape Clement  (Pessac-Leognan)
Score/Rating: 97
Suggested Drinking Window: 2030 - 2060
Review Date: 03/01/2025
Tasting Notes: Absolutely stunning, this majestic charmer hit everything right this year. Concentrated, lush, plush, and full-bodied, there is also a sense of lift, and vibrancy. Opaque in color, the wine initially grabs your attention with its showy display of flowers, cinnamon, chocolate, blackberries, and black cherries in the perfume. But, it is the palate that steals the show with its intensity, length, and energy. The wine blends 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2030-2060.

Wine: Chateau Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan 2022
Score/Rating: 97
Suggested Drinking Window: After 2028
Review Date: 01/16/2025
Reviewed By: Zekun Shuai
Tasting Notes: A very well-balanced Pape Clement showing a solid structure, concentration and length. Fresh and complex, with a fine streak of minerals and aromas of cassis, berries, white pepper and tapenade. Some wood spices, but they're quite restrained. Full-bodied, tight and long. A transparent and complete wine for the cellar. Try after 2028.

Wine: Chateau Pape Clement 2022 Barrel sample (Pessac-Leognan)
Score/Rating: 96
Review Date: 11/02/2023
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
Tasting Notes: 95-97 Barrel sample. The combination of smooth texture and firm tannins is both rich and fragrant. This is a fine vintage, from an estate founded in the 13th century. It is powerful and will age well.

Wine: 2022 Pape Clement
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2029 - 2059
Review Date: 06/05/2025
Reviewed By: Chris Kissack
Tasting Notes: This blend of the 2022 Pape-Clement is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon (although I did see wildly different figures presented at one tasting, so who knows? - I settled on the most reliable source). I like the aromatics here, which combine desiccated and delicately high-toned berry fruits with striking scents of violets, crushed chalk, blackberry and matchstick, and while they have certain appeal I cannot help but feel they seem a little advanced. Nevertheless, this translates onto a rather classy and nicely polished palate, with a rich core of dried cherry, currant and cranberry fruits, the restrained maturity of the Merlots coming through here, allowing the Cabernet to shine, with a polished texture, supported by a rich core of chocolate-laced tannins and smoky, smouldering oak. It finishes long and structured, with plenty of lingering tannic grip. This is classically Pape-Clement in style, and it will need ten or fifteen years to come good, but it promises much. Tasted three times. The alcohol on the label is 14%.

Wine: 2022 Pape Clement
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2029 - 2049
Review Date: 01/2026
Reviewed By: Neal Martin
Tasting Notes: The 2022 Pape Clement is definitely a step up in quality compared to the previous wines in the flight, with much more complexity and terroir expression, minerally with light estuarine scents. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, finely balanced, fresh and tensile, with a dash of white pepper and spice box towards the classically styled finish. Long-term potential here. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Wine: Chateau Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan 2022
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2028 through 2040
Review Date: 05/31/2025
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Tasting Notes: Well-packed with dark currant, raspberry, plum and cherry compote notes, all carried by gently singed apple wood and cedar. Sweet tobacco and a flash of incense fill in on the finish, which offers woodsy hints but stays polished and fine-grained overall. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2028 through 2040.

Wine: Chateau Pape Clement, Pessac-Leognan, Cru Classe de Graves [2022]
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2045
Review Date: 01/08/2025
Reviewed By: Georgina Hindle
Tasting Notes: Cool blue fruit, salty stones and liquorice - smells fresh and scented. Ripe and concentrated, the chewy tannins are at the fore, straight away giving the depth and frame while the blueberries and cherries linger in the background with a slight chalky sensation on the tongue. Feels a little less lively than some, more so because the frame is quite imposing, but I do like the muscular style as there's so much definition. Precision and poise but not so immediately accessible. The ending is a bit restricted and it doesn't flow as well as others yet there's no faulting the construction in terms of focus and classicism.

Wine: 2022 Pape Clement
Score/Rating: (92-94)
Review Date: 04/28/2023
Reviewed By: Yohan Castaing
Tasting Notes: Revealing aromas of blueberries, cassis, spring flowers and toasty new oak, the 2022 Pape Clement is full-bodied, broad and textural, with a rich, layered core of super-ripe fruit framed by liberally extracted tannins that assert themselves on the firm, lavishly oaky finish. This is a flamboyant, unabashedly modern-styled Pape Clement that will need several years in the cellar to blossom. It's a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine: Ch Pape Clement 2022 Pessac-Leognan
Score/Rating: 17/20
Suggested Drinking Window: 2035 - 2052
Review Date: 02/11/2026
Reviewed By: Jancis Robinson
Tasting Notes: Tasted blind. Sweet, slightly simple start. Straightforward. Not overworked. With the vintage’s intensity. (JR)