2019 Château Pape Clément Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

I loved the 2019 Château Pape Clement. This beautiful terroir in the heart of Pessac has produced and magical 2019. Stunning notes of crème de cassis, spring flowers, violets, crushed stone, and lead pencil and flow to a full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, elegant effort with great tannins and a rock star of a finish. It's a rich, powerful wine, yet it's the level of purity and elegance that sets it apart. Bravo! Tasted twice.

The 2019 Pape-Clément was picked from 17 September to 10 October, underwent a 30 day maceration. Matured in 90% oak barrels and 10% wooden foudres for 18 months. It has a very perfumed bouquet with luscious black cherries and boysenberry fruit, touches of raspberry preserve and crème de cassis. The palate is full-bodied and quite muscular, exerting a firm grip and displaying plenty of tobacco- tinged black fruit that dovetails into a more saline, marine influenced finish. This is a very serious Pape-Clément that will require longer ageing than its peers, but will surely be rewarding for those with patience. Tasted on five occasions - hopefully there is some wine left back at the château.