Ch.Pape Clement 1988 750ml

Other publications #0711, Jul 31, 2011 by Neal Martin
The 1988 Pape-Clement has a striking, youthful, minty nose without the complexity of either the 1989 or 1990, without the same level of aromatic delineation. The palate is full-bodied with rather burly tannins, good density and structure here, quite dry and masculine but with sufficient fruit concentration to keep it in balance, with notes of black olive, pain grille, a touch of mushroom, smoke and cigar box. Good length and vivacity. It will not improve any further, but one has to admire the solidity and unashamed conservatism of this wine. Drink now-2017+ Tasted July 2010.

Château Pape Clément is a Cru Classé Graves property that has one of the oldest documented histories of any Bordeaux vineyard, having been planted in 1300 by Bernard de Groth, the future Pope Clément V. In 1939 the estate was bought by the Montagne family and is now owned and run by Léo Montagne.
Pape Clément is located in the Bordeaux suburb of Pessac and consists of a chai and 32 hectares of vineyards, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (40%) and small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.
The quality of the wines at Pape Clément slipped in the 1960s and 70s, largely because of under-investment. Bernard Magrez was appointed as general manager in 1985 and he turned Pape Clément's fortunes around. He introduced more rigorous selection in the vineyards, as well as installing stainless steel vats and raising the percentage of new oak casks used in the maturation process.
Pape Clément now produces one of the finest clarets in Pessac-Léognan.

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