Chateau Pape Clement Blanc

In the glass

Aroma: pink grapefruit, Bosc pear, lime blossom, white peach, chalk

Palate: citrus zest, mineral, honeydew melon, fresh herbs, toasted brioche

A classified Graves white from one of Bordeaux's most historic estates. Sauvignon Blanc leads with fresh pink grapefruit and lime blossom; Semillon adds body and Sauvignon Gris a distinctive floral note. 100% new oak fermentation produces a rich, mineral, long-lived dry white.

What it pairs with

• Oysters en gelee
  The wine's mineral salinity and citrus precision are the archetypal complement to briny Bordeaux oysters.
• Grilled sea bass with fennel
  Herbal fennel and delicate fish amplify the wine's citrus and herbal notes; high acidity cleanses the palate.
• Goat's cheese bruschetta with honey
  Sauvignon Blanc's classic partnership with goat's cheese; honey mirrors the wine's hint of roundness from Semillon.
• Sauteed langoustines with herb butter
  Sweet crustacean and herbed butter find a perfect counterpoint in grapefruit acidity and white flower aromatics.

How to serve Chateau Pape Clement Blanc

Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Oysters en gelee, Grilled sea bass with fennel, Goat's cheese bruschetta with honey. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

White wine production at Pape Clement was significantly expanded and elevated under Bernard Magrez from 1985 onward. The white grand vin is a classified Graves white recognised since the 1959 Graves classification update. Production tripled after Magrez's investment in white-wine winemaking equipment.

1. 1959: Pape Clement Blanc recognised in the Graves white wine classification
2. 1985: Bernard Magrez acquires estate; white wine winemaking investment begins

Facts

Producer

Chateau Pape Clement · visiting guide

Grapes

Sauvignon Blanc (50%), Semillon (43%), Sauvignon Gris (7%)

Classification

Cru Classe de Graves (white); Pessac-Leognan AOC

Oak

100% new French oak; 12 months on lees; barrel-fermented

ABV

13.5%

Price

EUR 80-120 at retail

Drinking window

5-15 from vintage

First vintage

1980

Frequently asked about Chateau Pape Clement Blanc

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