In the glass
Aroma: red plum, cherry, fresh herbs, vanilla, cedar
Palate: ripe cherry, currant, soft spice, gentle tannin, round finish
The second red wine of Pape Clement since 1986. Merlot-dominant for approachability; round red cherry and currant fruit with cedar and soft spice notes. Designed for earlier drinking than the grand vin while reflecting the same Pessac terroir.
What it pairs with
-
Steak frites
Medium body and cherry fruit are classic bistro partners for simply cooked steak; tannins and acidity cut through the fat. -
Grilled sausages with lentils
Earthiness of lentils and savory pork resonate with the wine's soft tannin and herbal notes. -
Roast chicken with vegetables
Medium-bodied red at a comfortable temperature for everyday chicken; balanced fruit won't dominate the dish.
How to serve Le Clementin du Pape Clement Rouge
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Steak frites, Grilled sausages with lentils, Roast chicken with vegetables. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Le Clementin du Pape Clement was created in 1986 as the second wine of the estate, intended to offer the pleasure of Pape Clement's Pessac-Leognan terroir in an approachable, earlier-drinking style. The name acknowledges Pope Clement V, the estate's historical patron. It is sold at a price point accessible to everyday drinkers while sharing the same estate management and care.
- 1986 — Le Clementin introduced as the second wine of Chateau Pape Clement
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Pape Clement
- Grapes
- Merlot (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Petit Verdot (3%), Cabernet Franc (2%)
- Classification
- Pessac-Leognan AOC
- Oak
- Approximately 30-40% new French oak; 12-14 months
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 25-40 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-10 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1986
Scores
- Wine Advocate 92 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2023)
Frequently asked about Le Clementin du Pape Clement Rouge
What does Le Clementin du Pape Clement Rouge taste like?
On the nose, red plum, cherry, fresh herbs, vanilla, cedar. On the palate, ripe cherry, currant, soft spice, gentle tannin, round finish. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a medium finish. The second red wine of Pape Clement since 1986. Merlot-dominant for approachability; round red cherry and currant fruit with cedar and soft spice notes. Designed for earlier drinking than the grand vin while reflecting the same Pessac terroir.
When should I drink Le Clementin du Pape Clement Rouge?
Drink 3-10 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Le Clementin du Pape Clement Rouge?
Steak frites is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled sausages with lentils and Roast chicken with vegetables. Medium body and cherry fruit are classic bistro partners for simply cooked steak; tannins and acidity cut through the fat.
What grapes are in Le Clementin du Pape Clement Rouge?
The blend is Merlot (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Petit Verdot (3%), Cabernet Franc (2%). The wine is classified as Pessac-Leognan AOC.