Château Pape Clément, Blanc, Pessac Léognan, 2022
A blend typically dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, with Sémillon and touches of Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle, this wine is rich full-bodied, and creamy on the palate with layers of pear, mango, and quince unfold seamlessly, enhanced by a chalky minerality and a touch of saline freshness. The oak is integrated with finesse, adding structure and a touch of spice,
critic reviews
The 2022 Pape Clément Blanc offers pretty orchard fruit on the nose, though it doesn't quite possess the complexity of its peers. The palate is more interesting: a silver bead of acidity, lightly spiced, maybe a little more honeyed towards the second half. There is some hardness towards the finish, where it comes across muddled. This is far below the bottle tasted in Bordeaux last year and I shall try to re-taste this. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
The grand vin in white from this property is a blend of 63% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon and 2% Muscadelle (it’s good to see one or two estates still working with this variety), and it begins with a rather Sauvignon-dominant nose, with grassy pine needle, green apple and stark citrus fruits, with a little blotting paper note too, although it is subtle compared to many others. It holds up well on the palate though, showing a polished and coherent texture with lively citrus fruits, wrapped in a fine ribbon of acidity, and this cohesion persists through to the finish. Pithy and long, with phenolic grip and fresh acidity, this has nice potential. Give it four or five years to shake down those phenolic elements. Tasted twice. The alcohol on the label is 13.5%.
If you had to pick one wine that would not be afraid of the excess of the vintage, it would be Pape Clement, and certainly here they have leaned into it without being overpowered. Plenty of citrus, lemon curd, white peach and sage. Structured also, with great balance within the estate signature, helped by an attractive bitter edge on the finish. 35hl/h yield, harvest August 28 to September 2. Tasted twice.
A blend of 63% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon and 2% Muscadelle, the 2022 Pape Clement Blanc exhibits aromas of spices, spring flowers, lemon, peach and hints of jasmine and grapefruit. The palate is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and satiny, with an oaky frame. The finish is long, persistent and elegantly spicy.