The 2018 Pape Clement is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 60% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed black cherries, stewed black plums and black raspberries, followed by suggestions of violets, star anise, cardamom and camphor with a waft of iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers exhilarating energy, offering crunchy black berry and exotic spice layers with a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and mineral tinged. Still very primary, it will need a good 5 years in bottle to deliver that next-level experience and will drink over the next 30+ years. Robert Parker
An oasis of green, this grand estate within the Bordeaux suburbs has produced a powerful, massively textured wine. It also has the fruit richness to partner the structure along with a fresher streak of acidity. The wine will age, so drink from 2026. Wine Enthusiast
A warm mocha note drapes elegantly over a prodigious core of steeped red and black currant and blackberry fruit while waves of black tea, anise, fruitcake and applewood fill in on the finish. Structure is serious and well-imbedded. Really well put together. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038. 15,833 cases made. Wine Spectrator
The 2018 Pape Clément is such a beautiful and inviting wine. Silky, perfumed and layered, the 2018 shows the more restrained, vibrant style that has become the norm here in recent years. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and spice are front and center, while the oak - in the past so strong here - is really dialed back. The 2018 is going to be a fascinating wine to follow in the cellar over the next several decades. The purity of the flavors is just striking. Antonio galloni
Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Ockerrandaufhellung. Feine tabakige Nuancen, ein Hauch von Brombeeren und eingelegten Kirschen, etwas Nougat, ein Hauch von schwarzem Tee. Saftig, rotbeerige Nuancen, rote Kirschen, feine tragende und integrierte Tannine, mineralisch, wirkt bereits sehr harmonisch, salziger Touch im Nachhall, gutes Reifepotenzial. (2020–2050) Falstaff
I love watching how Pape Clement is evolving with every vintage. There's still a bit of Venice Beach in its muscles but it has let some juice in between the firm tannins and it's all the better for it. There are ripples of freshness here too, with lots of fleshy fruit, and a slatey mineral finish that sits against chocolate and smoked cedar notes. It's clearly been carefully extracted yet still has the serious ageing ability and sense of confidence that is the signature of the property. 37hl/ha yield in 2018. Two-thirds new oak. Drinking Window 2026 – 2042 Decanter
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
Black core with crimson rim. Darkest of black fruits, dark in oak spice too and yet there is also an inviting top note of red fruits that adds unexpected charm. Oaky char and sweetness on the palate, really generous in smooth dark fruit and smooth, firm tannins. Still needs time for the oak to recede but the fruit is moreish and the finish fresh. Jancis Robinson
Kunz Fassprobe 19: Samtenes, dichtes, würziges, komplexes, dunkles, fein opulentes Bouquet, Dörrpflaumen, schwarzer Cassis, fein Lakritze, Black Currant, Rauch. Konzentrierter, kraftvoller, ausgewogener Gaumen mit dichter, dunkler Frucht, vielfältiger, kräftiger Aromatik, viel feinem Tannin, konzentrierter, muskulöser Struktur, sehr langer, dichter, aromatischer Abgang mit vielen Rückaromen. Nachfolger vom 1986er, aber moderne Vinifikation. BORDEAUX TOTAL
Coming from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Château 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 crème 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 tannins. The Cabernet Sauvignon really sings at this point, and there's almost a Médoc-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. Jeb Dunnuck
Aromas of wild blackberries, blueberries, dried lavender, cloves and eucalyptus with gravel and cocoa butter. It’s full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins. Polished and creamy with a core of ripe fruit that evolves to herbs, spices and chocolate. Fantastic concentration and seamless integration. Try from 2024. James Suckling
