Pape Clément rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2022

Alexandre Ma

96

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

In recent years, Château Pape Clément has shown unwavering consistency, enchanting the senses with its natural richness and maturity, evoking the warmth of golden sunlight. Staying true to its classic style, the 2022 vintage introduces a juicy vibrancy and a stunning freshness that elevate its appeal. As the aromas of dried plum, licorice-kissed apricot, and aged tangerine peel become more vivid, the once-prominent oak toasting notes mellow into a harmonious backdrop, hinting at a truffle-like complexity with just a touch of aging. Judging by its performance straight from the bottle, the 2022 vintage has every potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with the illustrious Château Pape Clément 2016.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Medium to full intensity ruby in colour, gentle smoke on the nose, along with liquorice and cocoa bean on the opening beats, good length here, perhaps a little tight still at this point but plenty of ageing potential, and an enjoyably fragrant wave of rose petals and orange peel on the finish. Heavy bottle. 35hl/h yield, native yeast fermentation, aged in a variety of differently sized casks and barrels, 75ha estate

The Wine Cellar Insider

97

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Pape Clément, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Black raspberries, cassis, graphite, scorched earth, and violet notes are just some of the nuances in the 2022 Château Pape Clément, a gorgeously textured, layered, seamless 2022. It's flawlessly balanced, has a class of tannins that's second to none, is full-bodied, has terrific concentration, and has a gorgeous finish. This classic, seamless, elegant, sensational layered, multi-dimensional Pessac will have 40 years of prime drinking.

Yvesbeck.wine

96

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon Superbe bouquet, profond et complexe, avec de subtiles notes de sureau et de framboises ainsi que des effluves de graphite et de réglisse, tandis que des nuances d'élevage apparaissent en coulisse. Dense et crémeux et même légèrement salin en l'attaque, le vin n'est à aucun moment dans l'excès. Ses tannins, aux grains fins, forment un support précieux, suave, voués à porter le vin au fil des années à venir. Un vin sapide, puissant, harmonieux et délicieux ! 2027-2047 96/100

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Pape Clément was impressive from barrel. Now that the wine is in bottle, it has evolved a very floral bouquet (strangely, there is a scent that reminds me of walking into the hotel reception of the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, and I don't mean that necessarily in a negative way). Hints of musk, potpourri and bergamot filter through with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with saturated tannins. Mainly black-fruited, it is judiciously spiced and a little chewy toward the finish, where it just needs a little more precision and nervosité. Still, this is a very fine Pape Clément, one that deserves several years in bottle.

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

A very well-balanced Pape Clement showing a solid structure, concentration and length. Fresh and complex, with a fine streak of minerals and aromas of cassis, berries, white pepper and tapenade. Some wood spices, but they’re quite restrained. Full-bodied, tight and long. A transparent and complete wine for the cellar. Try after 2028.

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Pape Clément is a classy, elegant wine. Soaring aromatics open first. On the palate, the 2022 is vibrant and explosive, with terrific depth and exceptional balance. Today's wines here are simply striking because of their energy and verve. Those qualities help make Pape Clément one of the most changed wines in Bordeaux over the last decade or so. Red/purplish fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, new leather and sage are some of the many notes that linger on the sustained finish. The 2022 is a superb Pape Clément. Tasted three times.

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe1/22/2025

Well-packed with dark currant, raspberry, plum and cherry compote notes, all carried by gently singed apple wood and cedar. Sweet tobacco and a flash of incense fill in on the finish, which offers woodsy hints but stays polished and fine-grained overall. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2028 through 2040. 23,800 cases made.

Wine Maniacs

96-97

byLin Liuthe5/30/2023

Decanter.com

95

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Focussed and charming, good weight and depth, the tannins come into play almost straight away coating the mouth in fine but plump, fleshy black fruit with cool blue fruit touches and high acidity giving a different, lighter nuance. Well made, with good definition. Not as lively as some, but has supreme complexity and shine, everything feels well worked with touches of oak, liquorice spice and clove that dot the palate. Strong and serious but confident and controlled. A thoroughbred. Tightly knitted but still showing glamour. Harvest 7-27 September. Bee friendly, HVE3 certified. Celebrating 770 vintages in 2022. Michel Rolland and Julien Viaud consultants.

Alexandre Ma

96-97

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

In recent years, Château Pape Clément has consistently demonstrated remarkable stability, captivating one's senses with its innate richness and maturity, as if embracing warm sunlight. While maintaining its classic style, the 2022 vintage of Château Pape Clément seamlessly incorporates a succulent mouthfeel and striking freshness. As the aromas of dried plum, licorice apricot, and aged tangerine peel become more pronounced, the abundant oak barrel toasting notes seem to be softer, promising to develop a truffle note just after a short period of aging. I believe the vintage of 2022 has the potential to rival the heights of Château Pape Clément 2016.

Vinous

94-96

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Pape Clément was picked 7-27 September at 35hL/ha, aged in 60% new oak. It has quite an open and expressive bouquet at this stage, with blackcurrant and bilberry scents. A more sensual Pape Clément perhaps, the oak is neatly integrated. Black olives emerge with time, hints of sea spray - this is certainly a wine you have to stay with. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Layers of black fruit laced with graphite and cedar, rending this 2022 quite Pauillac-like in style. Nicely controlled on the finish, this is a Pape Clément with breeding. Tasted four times.

The Vintage Journal

95-96

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep crimson. Attractive dark chocolate/ mocha, blackcurrant aromas and flavours, fine chocolaty dense tannins, lovely mid palate richness/ volume and underlying marzipan/ hint vanilla notes. Finishes chocolaty and long. A very impressive core of fruit with suppleness and mineral length. Should develop very well. (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. Aroudn 70% new oak)

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

If you had to pick one wine that would not be afraid of the excess of the vintage, it would be Pape Clement, and certainly here they have leaned into it without being overpowered. Plenty of citrus, lemon curd, white peach and sage. Structured also, with great balance within the estate signature, helped by an attractive bitter edge on the finish. 35hl/h yield, harvest August 28 to September 2. Tasted twice.

matthewjukes.com

16

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

95-97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 Pape Clement is composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with a yield of 35 hl/ha. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little subdued to begin, soon unfurling to offer evocative notes of baked blackberries, boysenberry preserves, and plum pudding, followed by wafts of cassis, violets, cedar chest, and cumin seed. The full-bodied palate is rich and impactful, delivering layers of bright black cherries and baking spices with a lively backbone and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and energetic. pH 3.70.

Yvesbeck.wine

96-98

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Fin et subtil le bouquet de Pape Clément se révèle progressivement. Il annonce de la profondeur, de la délicatesse et de la pluralité. Invitantes et rafraîchissantes nuances de baies noires et rouges, de bois de réglisse et de poivre noir. L'attaque est friande et légèrement crémeuse. Le vin révèle sa puissance de manière subtile. On est bien loin du style démonstratif que l'on a pu connaître de Pape Clément. La fraîcheur, respectivement la tension et la structure tannique sont en parfaite corrélation. Les tannins, aux grains fins, offrent une puissance sereine, bien encadrée tandis que l'acidité se veut structurante et juteuse. La notion de force tranquille est évidente. Pape Clément 2022 est une grande réussite qui brille de son caractère harmonieux !

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Magnifique nez racé, puissant, offrant une grande maturité de fruit et une subtile minéralité, bouche savoureuse de grande amplitude, tannins d’une qualité exceptionnelle, caractère fumé, avec de la longueur et de l’énergie en finale. Grand potentiel.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-98

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

A full-bodied, concentrated, awesome Pessac, the 2022 Château Pape Clément offers up loads of spiced red and black fruits, some leafy tobacco, gravelly earth, and graphite aromatics, building, ripe, polished tannins, and a stacked mid-palate. Beautifully done, with remarkable purity and a great finish, it's going to rank with the crème de la crème of the vintage and is well worth seeking out. 96-98+

Vinous

93-96

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Pape Clement is shaping up to be a gem. Deep, pliant and layered in the glass, the 2022 possesses notable energy and vibrancy to play off its core of rich, sumptuous fruit. Soft, plush contours wrap it all together. Time in the glass brings out notable energy, especially as the mid-palate opens into the gorgeous, palate-staining finish. The 2022 is unusual in that it is 60% Merlot, rather than the more typical blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted three times. Drinking window : 2030-2052

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Dark, almost opaque in color, the wine grabs your attention with its showy display of flowers, cinnamon, chocolate, spice, tobacco, blackberries, and black cherries in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is rich, lush, sweet, deep, and intense. There is a wealth of flavor in the black cherries, white pepper, dark chocolate, and espresso on the palate. The endnote sticks for almost 50 seconds, delivering a peppery, orange rind, refreshing note in the finish. The wine blends 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% ABV, 3.6 pH. The harvest took place September 7 - September 28. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2026-2055.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byYohan Castaingthe4/28/2023

Revealing aromas of blueberries, cassis, spring flowers and toasty new oak, the 2022 Pape Clément is full-bodied, broad and textural, with a rich, layered core of super-ripe fruit framed by liberally extracted tannins that assert themselves on the firm, lavishly oaky finish. This is a flamboyant, unabashedly modern-styled Pape Clément that will need several years in the cellar to blossom. It's a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

This is a very structured 2022 with powerful tannins that run the length of the wine. Yet it’s perfumed and fresh with flowers and subtle undertones of stone. Pure. It’s full but not heavy with backbone and structure. Lots of crushed stone and currants. One of the most transparent you Pape’s I have tasted. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet sauvignon.