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Pape Clément Blanc 2012

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan
ColourWhite
TypeStill
Grape VarietySauvignon Blanc/Semillon

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Pape Clément

Label

Tasting Notes

I am not sure what the exact blend is for the 2012 Pape Clément, but it has a light gold color and is a gorgeously full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine with great texture in its notes of rose petal, honeysuckle, crystallized/caramelized tropical fruits, mandarin orange and honeyed lemon. Aged 15 months in mostly new French oak, this is another brilliant achievement for proprietor Bernard Magrez from this tiny white wine vineyard, although I would rate it slightly below his perfect 2009. Anticipated maturity: now-2030

96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The 2012 white is a blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc 30% Semillon and 15% Sauvignon Gris cropped at 23-hl/ha between 9th September and 4th October. It has a finely tuned bouquet with expressive Semillon defined the aromatics - melted candle wax and just a hint of ginger. The palate is quite spicy and phenolic on the entry with a suggestion towards the Southern Rhone, with an Oriental, almost Viognier like finish that is very appealing. This will be fascinating in bottle. Tasted April 2013.

92/94
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

Rich, broad nose. Actually, almost fat. A hint of sweetness and popcorn and just a little bit too broad? Hint of cappuccino. The acidity seems a bit low. I think I might even guess California blind… But it certainly creates an impression. Alcohol on the finish.

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2013
89
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2013

The 2012 Pape Clement, a profound blend of 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris and the rest Muscadelle, is once again a fabulous effort. Gorgeous notes of honeysuckle, pineapple, orange blossoms and mangoes soar from the glass of this full-bodied, unctuously textured, zesty, well-delineated white Pessac-Leognan from a suburb of Bordeaux. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.

95/98
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.