Château Pape Clement 2025, Pessac-Leognan
IN BOND
Delivery 2028
Appellation - Pessac Leognan
Owner - Bernard Magrez
The 2025 is 45% Merlot, 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot
Second wines - Le Clémentin du Pape Clément
Annual production – 120,000 bottles
TASTING NOTES
A linear and very tight red with black currant, blackberry and hazelnut undertones. It's medium- to full-bodied with firm and racy tannins and a savory finish. Lots of tannins, but they are very fine textured and show outstanding length. 60% merlot, 36% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.
95/96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2026
Wide ranging and expansive, love the bright cherry pit and damson, a ton of expansion and character, luscious with dark berry fruits, espresso and cocoa bean. Julien Viaud consultant. A new group technical director has come over from Penfolds, Pablo Laborde, joined in early 2026 so for the blending and ageing of this vintage. Harvest September 3 to 25. Yield 23 hl/ha. 50% of the wine in barrels of which 25% is new. 55ha, with a recentering to the historical vineyard around the estate in Pessac. Indigenous yeast fermentation. 2035-2055.
94
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2026
The 2025 Pape Clément is magnificent. The aromatics alone are captivating. Strong floral and savory notes soar from the glass. Lavender, rose petal, sage, mint and mocha lead into a core of wonderfully vibrant red/purplish fruit. Medium in body and deep, Pape Clément is positively stellar in 2025. The Cabernets and Petit Verdot add tons of aromatic presence. Élevage is 85% in barrique and 15% in foudre, with a relatively modest 33% new oak. 2035 - 2065
95/97
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2026
