The estate

Located on the gates of Bordeaux, Château Pape Clement is one of the oldest wine estates in the region, with the first grapes harvested in 1252. Château Pape Clément owes its name to Pope Clement V, who managed his vineyard with passion before donating it to the Archbishop of Bordeaux. It was then known as the "Vignes du Pape Clément." In 1983, Bernard Magrez, the tireless creator of rare wines, bought the estate. Bernard Magrez, who now owns 4 Grand Cru Classés in Bordeaux, has devoted all his energy and determination to raising Château Pape Clément to the rank of Bordeaux's elite Grand Crus. In 2009, the American wine critic Robert Parker awarded Château Pape Clément a score of 100/100.

The vineyard

Château Pape Clément 2023 is a Pessac-Léognan wine from a 73-hectare vineyard. The vines are 28 years old on average and are planted on Pyrenean clay gravel soils. The vineyard is managed on a micro-parcel basis. Château Pape Clément is certified High Environmental Value 3, EMS and Bee-Friendly.

The vintage

A cool and wet winter gives way to a mild and wet spring. This is followed by a hot and dry summer, marked by heatwave episodes.

Winemaking and ageing

Vinification combined traditional Bordeaux savoir-faire with modern precision. Cold pre-fermentation maceration and manual punch-downs enabled gentle extraction of color, texture, and aromatic complexity, while extended maceration refined the wine’s structure and tannic elegance. For the first time, fermentation was carried out entirely with indigenous yeasts, enhancing authenticity and terroir expression.

The élevage reflects the estate’s evolving philosophy toward greater freshness and balance. The wine was matured in a carefully selected combination of traditional French oak barrels, large-format casks, concrete vessels, ceramic eggs, and Clayver amphorae, resulting in a style that emphasizes purity of fruit, finesse, and precision over overt oak influence.

Blend

Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%).

Serve in Bordeaux glasses at a serving temperature between 16° – 18°C