2016 Pape Clement Blanc
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Tasting Notes
A solid and four-square white with lemon-rind and dried-apple character. Pears, too. Full and dense with layers of fruit and phenolic character. Red wine texture in a white. One for aging. Mar 2017, www.jamessuckling.com
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Creamy-edged, with alluring brioche, white peach and wet straw flavors, this has a broad feel but keeps good cut thanks to a light verbena thread. The brioche note takes over on the finish. Apr 2017, James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com
Big, broad, but without quite enough zest and energy. A bit dead - picked too late? Sweet and floral. Not a success this year (even though it often is). Dull. Apr 2017, www.jancisrobinson.com, Drink: 2018-2021
The 2016 Pape Clément Blanc is rich and inviting to the core. A wine of notable depth and viscosity, it nevertheless retains striking freshness and verve. In 2016, a challenging year for whites, most wines are missing something, most often freshness or body. Pape Clément Blanc, on the other hand, has it all. The 2016 is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine.
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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.