2005 Pape Clement Blanc
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Pape Clément Blanc is creamy, rich and expansive. Tangerine oil, coconut, passionfruit, spice and honey are all kicked up a few notches. This is a decidedly flamboyant white with a ton of new oak, which comes through both in the wine’s flavor profile and overall feel. I find the 2005 a bit heavy, and would prefer to drink any remaining bottles soon, as the astringency from the oak is only going to become more prominent over time.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind at the 2005 Southwold tasting, the 2005 Pape Clement Blanc seems to have declined from a high point several years ago. It has quite a rich bouquet with dried honey, grilled walnut and smoke, perhaps just a little more volatility than some of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with a honeyed opening, dried pineapple and orange rind scents intermixed and leading to a spicy, slightly feral finish. This might be a year or two past its best although it still has much to offer. Tasted February 2017.
(bottled in February of this year) Bright, pale yellow. Complex nose offers lemon drop, fresh herbs, flowers and resiny oak. Very rich and full in the mouth, and more complex than the young 2006 despite the recent bottling. Fresh flavors of candied ginger, flowers and lemon drop showcase the richness and depth-as well as the sappy character-of this vintage. Impressively long on the aftertaste. A great showing.
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.