2009 Clementin de Pape Clement

The second wine, the 2009 Le Clementin du Pape Clement, is made from a similar blend. It is more loosely put together with sweet tannin and lots of red and black fruits intermixed with smoked herbs, charcoal and hints of lead pencil shavings and herbs. Lush, round and medium-bodied, it is ideal for drinking over the next decade. This 13th century vineyard situated in the suburbs of Pessac is owned by one of Bordeaux’s most interesting visionaries, Bernard Magrez. He has done a remarkable job in turning around this once moribund property that made a bevy of undrinkable wines into one of the superstars of Bordeaux.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, this has a ripe, rounded, plum and blackberry nose with just a touch of damson jam. Moderate definition. The palate is full-bodied with firm, quite dry tannins, good structure, perhaps missing a little weight towards the finish, but good length. This represents a decent second wine. Tasted April 2010

Even the second wine of white Pape Clement, the 2009 Clementin (a blend of 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon and the rest Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle) has an exotic orange marmalade note intermixed with lemon butter and honeysuckle. It’s a beauty and well worth buying. Wine Advocate.February, 2012