Château Pape Clément 2014

The 2014 Pape Clement Blanc was tasted three times during my tastings. On each occasion, I felt it didn’t quite deliver on the initial promise from barrel, lacking the mineral tension of the finest white Bordeaux such as Domaine de Chevalier or Malartic-Lagravière Blanc. The palate is fairly rounded on entry and the new oak is more evident here, lending the texture an attractive creaminess but shaving off some of the tension and nervosité on the finish. I can picture it having broad appeal, but I was hoping for more terroir expression.

Quite showy, with a broad and creamy feel, as this has a toasted macadamia nut frame around a large core of warm lemon pound cake, tangerine cream, white ginger and wet straw notes. Though hefty, this glides beautifully thanks to well-buried acidity. Best from 2018 through 2026. 1,250 cases made.

Complex aromas of sliced apples, honey, pineapple and honeysuckle with hints of stones. Full-bodied, with firm, silky tannins and a beautiful finish. Intense and powerful. A combination of density and power. What a great finish. Drink in 2022, but already fantastic to taste now.

A strong vanilla note is the first thing you notice, before finding the yellow and citrus fruits, white peach and a stony nuance. Round, forward and easy to drink, this should improve with age.

Medium yellow with linden-green nuances, bright. Clearly toasty and—on the bouquet—the sweetest white Pessac-Léognan, with very strong vanillic roasted notes; the fruit length is slightly exotic, with a hint of passion fruit. The palate is mineral, the acidity ripe, or perhaps somewhat softened by a slightly high level of oak contact. Through its vinification and, respectively, its élevage, the product has taken on somewhat different dimensions. Less might have been more here. You don’t need to please certain tasters, but the consumers!

Creamy, opulent, sweet bouquet with citrus, exotic fruits, mirabelles. Velvety palate, nicely generous with plush fruit, fine, fresh acidity, powerful, sweet aromatics, long, full finish. 17/20 2020 - 2034

The 2014 is gaining richness in its mid-palate structure, but remains a bit closed today. It will really open up within a year.

A dense, powerful, oaky, complex wine. It needs to get through its oak phase to fully express itself, but it is of great caliber. It will go far.

Many white vintages have suffered from premature oxidation at Pape Clément, especially 2010 and 2011. The technical team was renewed in 2012. In 2014, the winemaking process changed. The cru experimented with 400-liter barrels (less oxidative than 225-liter ones) with lighter toasting. The color is pale yellow; the nose is fruity, spicy, minty, and slightly southern in character. The palate is round and juicy, much fresher than what had been known so far en primeur. Lovely, flavorful length.

This is a ripe and tropical wine, complex with wood aging. It is warm, intensely rich and piled with mango and pineapple flavors. The acidity and crispness are well behind this smooth, creamy wine. Drink from 2022.