Château Pape Clément 2021

The nose shows herbal, nutty and dark-fruit aromas, with marked wood. The palate is taut, with plenty of drive, combining elegance and length, finishing bitter on blood orange. Needs some time to age.

An alluring white, with verbena, Jonagold apple and quinine notes laced with a hint of singed brioche and backed by a salted butter accent on the finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2027.

High toned, almost sherbet and wild honey, toasted fruit, a real combination of flavours on the palate with brightness but also quite serious toasty elements. I do love the flavours but this needs more time to come together, feels punchy and forward, expressive with lots of oak nuances still at play. Good acidity though, this should be good in a few years.

Aromas of candied lemons, sliced dried apples and some stone. Also hints of celery. Medium body, dried pears and apples on the palate. Lots of gun metal and matchstick character. Crisp acidity. Give this time to develop in the bottle. Drink after 2027.

70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon. Cask sample. Bottle not as ridiculously heavy as the red. Grapefruit-peel sensation on the nose. Mouth-filling, fully ripe fruit. Long. Much more successful than the 2021 red from this estate. Sleek and lively, with an appetisingly dry finish. (JR)

Lemon meringue, white pepper, orange rind, white flowers, pineapples, white peaches and tangerine skins produce the attention-seeking perfume. The palate, which is filled with sweet, ripe, lush, and most importantly, vivid, energy-driven fruits, is even better. From the start, this is a fabulous white Bordeaux, with a racy finish. This is my favorite vintage of their white wine ever produced. Drink from 2024–2040.

Medium yellow-green colour with silver reflections. Delicate notes of peach and mango, a hint of blossom honey, subtle woody savouriness, nuances of orange zest. Medium body, subtle nuances of elderflower juice, fresh acidity, mineral, fine fruit sweetness, delicate and mineral, an animating, light-footed food wine.

Exotic melon, subtle tropical fruits, spice, and some minty herb notes all emerge from the 2021 Château Pape Clément Blanc, a bright, lively, medium-bodied white that has good overall concentration, integrated yet high acidity, and a great finish. I slightly overrated this from barrel, but this is nevertheless a beautiful Bordeaux Blanc. The blend is 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon) Velvety, powerful, full bouquet, quince, citrus, vanilla, lemon balm. Creamy, full palate with powerful, sweet fruit, good acidity, fresh aromatics, delicately opulent structure, long, fresh finish.

(70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon) Velvety, powerful, full bouquet, quince, citrus, vanilla, lemon balm. Creamy, full palate with intense, sweet fruit, good acidity, fresh aromatics, delicately opulent structure, long, fresh finish. 18/20 2026 - 2040

Love the mouthwatering freshness and the precision to the white pear, kiwi and citrus flavours. Shows careful precision, great quality, lift through the finish, saffron and sage, and the oak notes have integrated into the structure since En Primeur. Michel Rolland consultant.

A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Semillon, 2% Sauvignon Gris, and 1% Muscadelle, the 2021 Pape Clement Blanc charges out of the glass with energetic notes of fresh grapefruit, Bosc pears, and struck flint, leading to touches of white peaches, sea spray, and coriander seed. The light to medium-bodied palate is crisp and refreshing, with a great intensity of pear and cedary flavors and a satiny texture, culminating in a chalky lift on the finish.

An intriguing nose, with a deftly crafted blend of aromas of lemon, bay leaf, saffron and celery salt. The saffron note returns on the palate, very flavorful and saline.

Marked by citrus, the bouquet of Pape Clément is bright and fresh. Inviting notes of tangerine, lime, and pineapple. Saline and juicy on the palate, the wine is precise and lively. The finish stands out for its intensity and persistence, thanks to fine bitters that provide ideal backbone. A great success!

Pale yellow color. Intense, fruity nose. Pleasant, fruity palate that lacks body through the mid-palate. I was hoping for more.

This rich wine from a legendary Bordeaux estate is full of spice and toast, with a backing of ripe white-fruit acidity. It has depth and concentration, a full-bodied wine that will age well. Drink from 2026.

The nose is a little closed at first, but aeration reveals notes of yellow apples, lemons, dried herbs, cinnamon and cloves. The palate is dense and vibrant, with a gripping texture, a vertical structure and a good concentration of fruit. It reveals notes of grapefruit zest, pomelos, yellow apples, pears and pineapple, with a touch of salinity and pleasant savoury nuances. The finish is long, succulent and persistent.