As to the Grand Vin 2019 Château Pape Clement, it reveals a dense purple hue to go with stunning aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, lead pencils shavings, scorched earth, and tobacco. Beautifully balanced, with flawless tannins, this full-bodied Pessac has that rare mix of elegance and power, a great mid-palate, and again, perfect balance. It's one of the gems of the vintage and has some accessibility today given its purity and balance, yet deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will cruise for 20-25 years or more in cold cellars. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, brought up in two-thirds new French oak.
98 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2022)
The 2019 Pape Clément is just as impressive as it was en primeur. It shows all of the textural richness that is so typical of Bernard Magrez's wines, but with an extra kick of freshness that provides energy as well as a sense of proportion. A wine of stature, the 2019 is so classy. Succulent black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and licorice are all beautifully delineated. But more than anything else, I find the wine's energy really impressive. This is a fabulous vintage for Pape Clément. Tasted two times.
97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2022)
Crushed-stone and berry aromas with some blackberry and black-tea character. Just a touch of smokiness. Sweet fruit, too. This is so refined, subtle, and beautiful for Pape with full body, ultra-fine tannins and a succulent finish. The center-palate is dense and complete. Goes on for minutes. So subtle and refined, focused and classy. Try after 2026.
97 points, James Suckling (Feb 2022)
Raspberry puree, concentrated loganberry and black cherry alongside peony and rosebud flowers, still extremely concentrated with knitted-together tannins. Great quality and potential, a little more severe and austere than the 2018 at this point, needs a good five years in bottle. Harvest September 17 to Ocotber 10, A (one point) upscore from En Primeur.
96 points, Jane Anson (Nov 2021)
Made up of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, the 2019 Pape Clement is medium to deep garnet-purple colored. It needs coaxing to unlock cassis, plum preserves, and licorice notes with hints of tar, wild sage, and tobacco. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and lively with soft, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced.
96 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Apr 2022)