Pape Clement 2010

Pape Clément 2010 is a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon-based red wine from the Pessac Léognan region of Bordeaux. With a rich history that spans seven centuries, Château Pape Clément is one of the oldest Grands Crus in the entire Bordeaux region. The first vines were planted in the 13th century by Bertrand de Goth, who went on to become Pope Clement V. Situated in the Pessac-Léognan appellation in Graves, the 36-hectare estate is on a combination of gravel-sand and clay-limestone soils, with a chalky subsoil rich in iron. On the 2010 grand vin. "A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that hit 13.5% natural alcohol, the 2010 Château Pape Clément is a powerful, concentrated, yet still incredibly refined and elegant Pessac. Still youthfully plum-hued with no signs of bricking, it offers a sensational nose of ripe currants, chocolate, scorched earth, and graphite that needs lots of air to show its full potential. Deep, full-bodied, and layered on the palate, it has ultra-fine, seamless tannins and perfectly integrated oak. The inherent elegance of this terroir is certainly here, but this is a concentrated, incredibly impressive Pessac in the early stages of its prime drinking window with another 20+ years of prime drinking ahead of it." 100 points, Jeb Dunnuck, 2024