Château Pape Clément

History of Château Pape Clément

Château Pape Clément takes its name from its most celebrated owner, Bertrand de Goth, who became Pope Clement V in 1305. This estate has a long and fascinating history that begins in 1252, with the first recorded harvest on these lands, then known as the Domaine de la Mothe. Bertrand de Goth acquired the property in 1299, at a time when he was Archbishop of Bordeaux. After his election as pope, he developed the art of viticulture, both in Bordeaux and in the Rhône Valley.

In 1309, Clement V ceded the estate to the Archbishopric of Bordeaux, and the vineyard remained under its administration for nearly five centuries. It was only during the French Revolution that the property was put up for auction. The modern history of the estate begins in 1939 with its purchase by Paul Montagne, who, despite the damage caused by a hailstorm in 1937, set about reviving the vineyard. This work was rewarded in 1959 with the classification of Château Pape Clément as a Grand Cru Classé de Graves.

In the 1980s, Bernard Magrez, a visionary entrepreneur, took over the reins of the estate. He introduced modern techniques and rigorous plot-by-plot monitoring, allowing Pape Clément to regain its worldwide renown. Under his leadership, the estate received prestigious distinctions, including scores of 100/100 awarded by the renowned critic Robert Parker for the white wine (2009) and red wine (2010) vintages.

The 2010 red vintage and the 2009 white vintage of Château Pape Clément achieved the perfect score of 100/100 from Robert Parker. The 2005 and 2009 red vintages received 99/100, while the 2006 white was rated 98/100, confirming the excellence of this estate in both reds and whites.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Pape Clément

The vineyard of Château Pape Clément extends over 60 hectares within the Pessac-Léognan appellation, in the Graves wine region. This exceptional terroir rests on the oldest alluvial terrace, known as the "nappe des graves pyrénéennes", covered by a thin layer of Garonne gravels deposited approximately 1.5 million years ago. This diverse soil allows for the optimal expression of the grape varieties cultivated on the estate.

The 53 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties are composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. This vineyard is carefully cultivated to express the full potential of the terroir, with a planting density of up to 9,000 vines per hectare. The vines, with an average age of 30 years, benefit from meticulous care, including manual destemming, Guyot-Poussard pruning, and even the use of animals for traction.

The 7 hectares of white grape vines are planted with Sémillon (48.5%), Sauvignon Blanc (44.5%), Sauvignon Gris (5.5%), and Muscadelle (1.5%). These grape varieties thrive thanks to the diversity of the soils and the slightly cooler climate, yielding white wines of great finesse and remarkable elegance.

Winemaking at Château Pape Clément

The winemaking at Château Pape Clément draws on a unique combination of ancestral practices and modern technologies, all aimed at achieving excellence. The process begins with manual harvesting in small crates, with an initial sorting in the vineyard. Particular care is given to manual destemming, where approximately 5% of the finest clusters are meticulously separated from their stems without damaging the berries. These grapes are then sorted by hand before being sent to the winery.

For red wines, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled wooden vats. Each plot is vinified separately, allowing the specificity of the terroir to be preserved. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in French oak barrels, of which 65% are new, and aging lasts between 18 and 20 months.

For white wines, the grapes are also fermented in whole clusters in 100% new French oak barrels, without malolactic fermentation. The aging on lees, which lasts 12 months, allows the full aromatic complexity of the white wine to develop, while preserving remarkable freshness and minerality.

Innovation is also at the heart of the estate's practices. Since 2014, a drone has been used to monitor the plots with unparalleled precision, and other technologies such as the Green-Seeker and tractor auto-guidance have been integrated to improve vineyard management.

The cuvées of Château Pape Clément

Château Pape Clément produces highly renowned wines, both in red and white. 

Château Pape Clément Rouge - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The Grand Cru Classé de Graves, Château Pape Clément Rouge, is a powerful and refined wine, marked by great aromatic complexity. Crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, this wine stands out for its aromas of dark fruits, leather, and smoky wood. Its tannic structure is dense yet elegant, and its aging potential is exceptional. It is aged for 18 months in oak barrels, of which 70% are new.

Le Clémentin du Pape Clément Rouge

The estate's second wine, Le Clémentin du Pape Clément, is crafted with the same care as the Grand Vin, but is designed to be enjoyed younger. Aged for 12 months with a proportion of 30% new barrels, it offers fruity aromas and a more approachable texture, while retaining the finesse and richness of the terroir.

Château Pape Clément Blanc

This rare and exclusive white wine, produced in small quantities (fewer than 10,000 bottles per year), is a true jewel of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Vinified in Burgundy barrels, it stands out for its exotic aromas tinged with musk, its round and rich texture, and its elegant finish. The balance between freshness and minerality makes this white one of the finest white wines of Bordeaux.

Le Clémentin du Pape Clément Blanc

As with the red, Le Clémentin Blanc is a second wine intended for earlier consumption. Its precise vinification and partial aging in an oval concrete tank give it a delicate texture and great aromatic finesse.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two appellations of Bordeaux, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1990 are particularly appreciated for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010 are also remarkable for their structure and aging potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm the continuity of this excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore the full range of Grands Crus Classés of Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historic benchmark. For both red and white wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac, and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. On the red side, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément, and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton, and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover at the heart of the Graves region.

Château Pape Clément embodies viticultural excellence across the centuries, combining tradition and modernity to produce wines of exceptional quality. Whether through its powerful and complex reds or its elegant and refined whites, this historic estate continues to captivate wine lovers from around the world. Thanks to Bernard Magrez's commitment and the constant innovations put in place, Château Pape Clément remains an unmissable reference in the Bordeaux wine landscape.