2018 Château Pape Clément Grand Cru Classé de Graves Rouge, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. A first sorting in the vineyard; then a second sorting on vibrating sorting tables. Transfer of berries to 25 to 90-hectolitre stainless steel and concrete vats by gravity-flow. A pre-fermentation cold soak at 8°C. Completely manual pigeages.

30 days soak on the skins. The wine is run off directly into barrels by gravity-flow. Malo-lactic fermentation in barrel and vat. 16 months’ agiing in oak barrel, 60% new French oak.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Known to be one of the oldest Bordeaux Grands Crus, the estate’s vineyard was established by Bertrand de Goth, who in 1305 became Pope Clément V, the name which was subsequently given to the Château. The first harvest there took place in 1252, laying the foundations for an outstanding cultural heritage. It was in 1980 that Bernard Magrez acquired the estate. Since then, he has endeavoured to pay his respects to it daily and to glorify this magnificent property which has witnessed part of France’s history.

Located in Pessac, Château Pape Clément belongs to the Pessac-Léognan appellation contrôlée and the wider Graves wine region. Containing exceptional soils, the estate’s superb terroir creates a synergy between passion and work. Each plot, vine and grape is carefully tended according to vine-growing tenets developed over centuries.

This terroir stretches over three plots surrounding the Château and benefits from both ancestral savoir-faire and cutting-edge technology. In enhancing it but also respecting it, we seek to ensure that it continues to offer us its purest quintessential qualities.