1996 Pape Clement
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Tasting notes
Tasted at the property, the 1996 Pape-Clement is a wine that has been rather up and down in my past experience. Now at 20 years old, it has a fragrant, mild-mannered, well defined bouquet with scents of tobacco and black tea. It still has that leafiness to it, although I can abide that. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, slightly dry tannin. There is good body here although not the finesse shown by more recent vintages that I feel occupy a higher level. It just tapers slightly towards the finish with a prickle of spice, but I would have liked more substance and energy. It is not a bad 1996 by any means -- what it lacks is the panache and precision of more recent vintages. Tasted July 2016.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Very light nose. Very dusty tannins becoming even more evident as the fruit fades. But there is a convincing middle to this wine. Quite a kick. Mellifluous texture. (JR)
Aromas of herbs, fruit and minerals follow through to a full-bodied palate, with chewy tannins and an austere, light finish. Hard to get excited about.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2007
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.