Château Pape Clément Red 2023

Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Château Pape Clément is one of Bordeaux's oldest Grands Crus. Its Vineyard was established in the 13th century by Bertrand de Goth, the youngest son of a noble Bordeaux family. Archbishop of Bordeaux, Bertrand de Goth became Pope in 1305, under the name of Clement V. The Château is named after him. Vineyard then belonged to the Archbishopric of Bordeaux until the French Revolution. The estate has been producing wine on the same land for 7 centuries.

Features

Appellation: Pessac Léognan
Location: Pessac
2023 blend: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Age of vines: 29 years
Planting density: 7,700 vines per hectare

Product from a High Environmental Value farm

Winegrowing singularities

Wine Singularities

Climate

Grape varieties: 53% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot,1% Cabernet Franc
Age of vines: 29 years
Planting density: 7,700 plants per hectare
Soil type: Pyrenean clay gravel layer dating from the late Pliocene and early Quaternary periods
Complementary terroirs: Merlot on clay to the east and Cabernet on gravel to the west.
Protecting the environment and soil life through winter grazing and animal-drawn ploughing
Leader in precision viticulture
Continuous innovation

Meticulous, high-performance optical sorting of racks
Fermentation with selected indigenous yeasts
Precision work: variety of containers to bring out the best in each batch
Selection of barrels according to the characteristics of each vintage

The 2023 vintage in the prestigious Vineyard of Pessac-Léognan was shaped by contrasting weather conditions. Winter was marked by cold temperatures and abundant rainfall, ensuring optimal water reserves in the soil for the coming growing season. The spring that followed was mild and wet, favoring early, lush flowering of the vines. However, this humidity also increased the risk of fungal diseases, requiring increased vigilance on the part of winegrowers.

Summer arrived with hot temperatures and dry weather, punctuated by intense heat waves. These extreme weather conditions presented challenges for the vines, requiring precise irrigation management and protection against excessive heat. Despite these challenges, the cool nights preserved a balanced natural acidity in the grapes, offering interesting potential for the quality of the vintage.

All in all, the 2023 vintage was a year of contrasts and challenges for the winemakers of Pessac-Léognan. However, their expertise and dedication overcame these obstacles, resulting in wines that reflect the very essence of the terroir. With meticulous attention to detail throughout the winemaking process, the 2023 vintage promises to deliver wines of fascinating complexity, capturing the very essence of this year unique in Pessac-Léognan bottles.