1970 Pape Clement
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Tasting notes
I have regrettably tasted all too few ancient vintages of Pape Clément. The 1970 suggests that there are plenty of gems to be discovered. This is very similar to the second of two bottles procured in Bordeaux several years ago. Deep in colour with a little ageing. It dishes out black fruit, gravel, black olive and light camphor scents. This 1970 has wonderful vigour considering its age. The palate does not disappoint with excellent balance and plenty of rounded black plummy fruit laced with clove and cedar; it's pretty precocious towards the finish. Best wine from the Graves in this vintage? Quite probably. Tasted at a private dinner in London.
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Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1970 Pape Clement was...shocking...in terms of its precocity. This bottle was acquired in Bordeaux and the level was as good as you could expect given that it was 46 years old. Quite deep in color, the bouquet is just wonderful with smudged black fruit, warm gravel, clove and bay leaf. It exudes Graves-like aromas and conveys superb vigor. The palate shot well above my expectations: very well balanced and laden with black fruit. There is real weight and presence here, touches of sandalwood, clove and a subtle pine needle note emerging with time. It seems undiminished with age, a 1970 Graves that is doubtlessly overlooked by cognoscenti. Well, I am here to tell you that this is actually superior to the 1970 Haut Brion and ranks alongside the outstanding 1970 Domaine de Chevalier. Go seek. Tasted July 2016.
The 1970 Pape Clement was...shocking...in terms of its precocity. This bottle was acquired in Bordeaux and the level was as good as you could expect given that it was 46 years old. Quite deep in color, the bouquet is just wonderful with smudged black fruit, warm gravel, clove and bay leaf. It exudes Graves-like aromas and conveys superb vigor. The palate shot well above my expectations: very well balanced and laden with black fruit. There is real weight and presence here, touches of sandalwood, clove and a subtle pine needle note emerging with time. It seems undiminished with age, a 1970 Graves that is doubtlessly overlooked by cognoscenti. Well, I am here to tell you that this is actually superior to the 1970 Haut Brion and ranks alongside the outstanding 1970 Domaine de Chevalier. Go seek. Tasted July 2016. Oct 2016, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Among the oldest estates in Bordeaux, Ch. Pape Clément has been guided into the modern era by Bernard Magrez, who has managed the estate since 1985. It makes some of the best reds in the region.