Chateau Pape ClementProducer from Bordeaux, France

Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Château Pape Clément, located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, is one of the oldest estates in the region, with a history that dates back to the 13th century. The château's name pays homage to its most famous owner, Pope Clement V, who was born Bertrand de Goth. Before his papal appointment in 1305, Bertrand de Goth was Archbishop of Bordeaux, and the vineyards of Château Pape Clément were gifted to him upon his ascension to the archbishopric in 1299. The estate has since played a significant role in the history of Bordeaux winemaking, known for its pioneering spirit and commitment to quality.

Throughout the centuries, Château Pape Clément has seen numerous owners, each contributing to its legacy. The estate has weathered the tumultuous events of history, including the French Revolution and both World Wars, maintaining its reputation for excellence. In 1985, the estate was acquired by Bernard Magrez, a passionate entrepreneur and wine enthusiast. Magrez has been instrumental in revitalizing the estate, investing heavily in both the vineyards and the winemaking facilities, ensuring that Château Pape Clément continues to produce wines of exceptional quality.

Under Magrez’s stewardship, Château Pape Clément has embraced both tradition and innovation, combining age-old practices with cutting-edge technology. The estate is now considered one of the most technologically advanced in Bordeaux, utilizing drones, GPS, and other state-of-the-art tools to monitor and manage the vineyards with precision. Despite these modern advances, the estate remains deeply rooted in its history, producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of Pessac-Léognan.

The Terroir of Château Pape Clément

The terroir of Château Pape Clément is one of its most valuable assets, playing a crucial role in the character and quality of its wines. The estate’s vineyards cover 63 hectares, situated on the gravelly soils that are typical of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. These gravel soils, mixed with clay and sand, provide excellent drainage, which is essential for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, the dominant grape variety at Pape Clément. The gravel also reflects sunlight, helping to ripen the grapes fully and develop the complex flavours and aromas that are the hallmark of the estate’s wines.

The vineyard is planted with a mix of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot for the red wines, while the white wines are made from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and a small amount of Muscadelle. The estate's location in Pessac-Léognan, close to the city of Bordeaux, benefits from a temperate climate, with the nearby Garonne River providing a moderating influence that protects the vines from frost and encourages even ripening.

One of the defining characteristics of Château Pape Clément's terroir is its complexity. The combination of gravel, clay, and limestone in the soil creates a unique environment that imparts both power and elegance to the wines. The estate’s meticulous vineyard management, which includes hand-picking and sorting of grapes, ensures that only the best fruit is used in the winemaking process, resulting in wines that are both rich and refined, with a remarkable ability to age.

Winemaking at Château Pape Clément

The winemaking process at Château Pape Clément is a blend of tradition and modernity. After the grapes are hand-harvested and sorted, they undergo fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel and wooden vats. This precise control over the fermentation process allows for the extraction of the full range of flavours and tannins, ensuring that the wines are both complex and balanced.

Ageing takes place in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak used each year to add depth and structure to the wines. The result is a wine that is rich, full-bodied, and capable of ageing gracefully for decades. Château Pape Clément's red wines are known for their intense aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, and spice, while the white wines are celebrated for their freshness, minerality, and complex bouquet of citrus, stone fruits, and floral notes.