Château Pape Clément rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2012

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

The iconic 2012 Pape Clement is a candidate for near-perfection as well as one of the wines of the vintage. From proprietor Bernard Magrez, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This extraordinary vineyard (a few miles to the west of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion) has hit all the highlights of this vintage. Interestingly, the quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012. This is truly great wine and not far off their magnificent 2005 and 2010. Full-bodied, with rich cassis, subtle burning embers and spice followed by velvety, well-integrated tannins, the wine is lush, expansive, savory and profound. This is a remarkable wine that could be drunk at a reasonably young age, but should cellar brilliantly for a quarter-century. Yields were modest at 37 hectoliters per hectare from this 132-acre estate. The alcohol level came in at 13.5%.

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

This is rich and decadent with lots of wet earth, tobacco, berries and hints of cedar. Full body, round and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Better in 2018.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Densely packed, with lots of dark steeped currant, fig and blackberry fruit, slowly melding with muscular licorice snap, bramble, singed bay and ganache notes. The long, dark, ganache-coated finish isn't shy, but an enticing rusticity keeps this honest. A large-scaled wine that has really powered up since the barrel tasting. Best from 2018 through 2027. 12,500 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

15,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe12/11/2014

Ridiculously heavy bottle. How on earth did Bernard Magret and Michel Rolland cope with this vintage, I wonder? Stewed-fruit nose. Jagged acid and tannin. Not a happy whole by any means. Very chewy finish. All out of kilter. It may come right but I’d rather not bet on it. Drink 2018-2025.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17,5 / 20

the11/12/2014

Fermé mais non maquillé au nez, notes de fraise au nez et en bouche, de la fraîcheur, tannin franc, bonne persistance, du caractère et de la complexité.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

A wine to admire rather than drink, at least in my view, this is super oaky, super dense and slightly cakey on the palate, with a hint of over-ripeness, even in a year like 2012. It’s a very serious, inky blend with lots of concentration, but I can’t help thinking it would taste better if it had been picked a few days earlier. Drink: 2020-30

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-89 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

Deep ruby.  Enticing spicy lift to the aromas of blueberry, peppermint, graphite and violet.  Juicy, spicy and aromatic, showing moderate depth but good mineral intensity and definition to the dark berry fruit.  Finishes quite dry, with a hint of greenness and building, slightly rough tannins.

Asian Palate

89 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/15/2013

Juicy red with lush blackberry fruit and elegant profile. Pape Clement seems to be moving away from their former chunky, thick and oaky style. Well balanced with a touch of restraint compared with previous years. This red offers good balance; the style is obviously turning towards more natural, elegant flavours showing its bones rather than makeup or flesh. Balanced and approachable.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/3/2013

Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Grand Vin is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon that was cropped between 4th and 18th October at 37hl/ha. There is a lot of oak to be absorbed on the nose, although there appears to be plenty of brambly dark berry fruit to soak it up. It is slightly broody compared to the 2011 last year and will hopefully open up after bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy, plump, ripe tannins and crisp acidity. It is harmonious and focused, good volume here, with a strict finish that displays good tension, although there is a slight dryness coming through on the aftertaste. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Nice black currant and anise notes mix with charcoal and roasted apple wood. Good fleshy feel. Has some exotic spice notes and clearly roasted woodsy notes, but seems a touch shy on stuffing. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

My Bettane + Desseauve

17,5 / 20

the4/27/2013

Fermé mais non maquillé au nez, notes de fraise au nez et en bouche, de la fraîcheur, tannin franc, bonne persistance, du caractère et de la complexité.

Wine Advocate

92-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

The 2012 Pape Clement is one of the stars of the vintage, which is not surprising given this estate's performances over the last 10-15 years. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, it exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color along with a beautifully sweet, graphite-scented nose with hints of black currants, Asian plum sauce, soy and forest floor. Impressively built with medium to full-bodied flavors, it has more layers than many wines from this vintage, an appealing density and a velvety texture.

Yields were a modest 37 hectoliters per hectare and the wine finished at 13.5% natural alcohol. This 132-acre estate has once again produced a prodigious wine in a challenging vintage. Bravo to proprietor Bernard Magrez!

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Inky in color; black and blue fruits, licorice, smoke and oak create the aromatics. On the palate, the wine is fresh, fleshy, rich and bold, with a concentrated finish packed with ripe dark berries and licorice. For tasters that found more heralded vintages over the top, this is a wine they should look into. 92-94 Pts

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Beautifully concentrated red and black fruits, an elegantly polished wine to be expected from Pape-Clement, satiny texture, very good future. 17.5/20pts ( 91/100pts)
Drink: 2016 - 2030

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/19/2013

Drink 2019-2032
Very intense dark purplish crimson. Super-clean refreshing-but-ripe black fruit aromas. Sweet palate entry and then rather refreshing and muscular. For the moment it's all ripe sweetness but it has the constitution for giving immense pleasure. All the constituents are in the right balance and the finish is most refreshing.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/19/2013

Couleur sombre et intense. Nez fruité de type mûre et crémeux. Large en entrée de bouche, parfumé au milieu, juteux au développement. Ce vin évolue savoureux, fin et plus frais que de coutume avec du goût, du corps et des tannins fins. Belle persistance savoureuse.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

This is already a gorgeous wine with spices, berries, dark chocolate and walnuts. Full body, soft and silky. Beauty. Better than 2011.