Château Pape Clément Red 2019
Grand Cru Classé de Graves
Pape-Clément 2019 was harvested between September 17 and October 10, and underwent 30 days of maceration. It was aged for 18 months in 90% oak barrels and 10% wooden foudres. It has a highly perfumed bouquet of savory black cherries and boysenberry fruit, with hints of raspberry jam and crème de cassis. The palate is full-bodied and quite muscular, exerting a firm grip and displaying plenty of tobacco-tinged black fruits that melt into a saltier, sea-influenced finish. This is a very serious Pape-Clément that will require longer aging than its peers, but will surely be rewarding for those with patience.
Features
- Appellation: Pessac Léognan
- Location: Pessac
- Surface area: 65.5 hectares
- 2019 blend: 54% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc
- Age of vines: 28 years
- Planting density: 7,700 plants per hectare
- Harvest date: September 18 to October 11, 2019
- Bottling: Summer 2021
- Consulting oenologist: Michel Rolland
Tasting
"The intense nose of blackcurrant and blackberry develops a spicy complexity. From the suave attack, the wine unfurls an impressive velvety framework: a silky texture with melted tannins, bursting with full, fleshy aromas of juicy black fruit, toasty notes and floral iris. A concentrated, dense wine with magnificent balance. The finish is fruity and floral, with hints of marigold and spicy freshness. A signature Pape Clément, racy and elegant".
Terre de Vins
Food & wine pairing
- Red meat
- Truffle dishes
- Cheeses
- Game dishes (wild boar, deer)
Conservation
15-30 years
Ratings & Awards
- 97/100
James Suckling
- 98/100
Wine Advocate
- 97/100
Terre de Vins
Winegrowing singularities
Wine Singularities
Climate
- Grape varieties: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
- Age of vines: 28 years
- Planting density: 7,700 plants per hectare
- Soil type: Pyrenean clay gravel layer dating from the late Pliocene and early Quaternary periods
- Management system Vineyard :
- Micro-parcel management
- Controlled weeding, cavaillons worked by animal-drawn ploughing
- Integrated pest management, vigor balance management
- Debudding, pruning and green harvesting
- Manual harvesting in small crates
- Terra Vitis, HVE3 (High Environmental Value Level 3) and EMS and Bee-Friendly certification
Vinification :
- First sorting in the vineyard
- Grain-by-grain manual de-stemming and table sorting
- Gravity-fed into 30 to 70 hl wooden vats
- Pre-fermentation maceration at a low temperature of 8°C
- Manual punching of the cap
- 30-day maceration
- Direct run-off into French oak barrels and foudres by gravity
- Malolactic fermentation in barrels (2/3 new and 1/3 one-wine)
- Aged 16 months in French oak barrels (90%) and foudres (10%)
The 2019 vintage in the prestigious Vineyard of Pessac-Léognan was shaped by remarkable weather conditions. In spring, rainfall was well-balanced, favoring even flowering and promising fruit set. The summer that followed was characterized by sunny days and moderate temperatures, creating an ideal environment for gradual and complete ripening of the grapes. The cool nights preserved the grapes' invigorating natural acidity, bringing freshness and balance to the berries. In addition, controlled rainfall helped to keep the vines healthy right up to harvest. Overall, these exceptional weather conditions produced wines of exceptional quality, characterized by elegant fruit concentration and delicate structure. The 2019 vintage thus stands out as a memorable year for Pessac-Léognan, offering wine lovers a refined and unforgettable taste experience.
Our know-how
Expertise unique aimed at excellence
Our actions in favor of the environment
For a more sustainable future of wine, we preserve the terroirs of our Vineyards.