Ch.Pape Clement 2004 750ml

Wine Advocate #171 Jun 2007
This brilliant blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Merlot (which was harvested very late) reveals complex aromas of lead pencil shavings, burning embers, black currants, cherries, and blackberries as well as a subtle smoky charcoal component. Medium to full-bodied and spicy with sweet tannin and an opulent, fleshy personality, it is a terrific effort from this great Pessac-Leognan vineyard. Consume it now and over the next 15+ years.

Château Pape Clément is a Cru Classé Graves property that has one of the oldest documented histories of any Bordeaux vineyard, having been planted in 1300 by Bernard de Groth, the future Pope Clément V. In 1939 the estate was bought by the Montagne family and is now owned and run by Léo Montagne.
Pape Clément is located in the Bordeaux suburb of Pessac and consists of a chai and 32 hectares of vineyards, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (40%) and small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.
The quality of the wines at Pape Clément slipped in the 1960s and 70s, largely because of under-investment. Bernard Magrez was appointed as general manager in 1985 and he turned Pape Clément's fortunes around. He introduced more rigorous selection in the vineyards, as well as installing stainless steel vats and raising the percentage of new oak casks used in the maturation process.
Pape Clément now produces one of the finest clarets in Pessac-Léognan.

Meats, Beef and Venison