95-97

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2025 Pape Clément is magnificent. The aromatics alone are captivating. Strong floral and savory notes soar from the glass. Lavender, rose petal, sage, mint and mocha lead into a core of wonderfully vibrant red/purplish fruit. Medium in body and deep, Pape Clément is positively stellar in 2025. The Cabernets and Petit Verdot add tons of aromatic presence. Élevage is 85% in barrique and 15% in foudre, with a relatively modest 33% new oak. 04/2026

93-95

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2025 Pape Clément was picked between September 3 and 25, fermented using their own yeast strains and matured in 85% barrel (one-third new) and the remainder in foudres. A large amount of the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked after the rain on September 20, using optical sorting, and underwent a gentle extraction with a shorter maceration up to 26°C. It has quite an opulent bouquet, with luxuriant black cherries, blueberry and blood orange scents, a touch of peppermint emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied and delivers quite a grip on the entry, with layered black fruit, quite compact on the mid-palate, a little hard-edged on the finish, though that should soften during the barrel maturation. Quite dense on the finish, this is an impressive Pape Clément but it needs to foment more charm by the time of bottling. 05/2026

96

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, fruité et subtil. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, avec de la classe dans le toucher et un goût profond de fruits noirs, le vin évolue en douceur, fondant et noble vers une grande finale légèrement réglissée. C'est superbe et très difficile à cracher. Assemblage : 60 % Merlot, 36 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 % cabernet franc, 1 % Petit Verdot. Degré d'alcool : 13°7 - pH : 3,6. Rendement : 30 hl/ha. Production : 120 000 bouteilles. Pour la petite histoire 60 % de Merlot à Pape Clément est une première. Il n'est pas le seul. Je pense aussi au château Olivier. Ceci pour dire que le merlot sur les grands terroirs n'a aucune nécessité d'être remplacé en urgence pour s’affranchir du réchauffement climatique. 04/2026

95-96

James Suckling

James Suckling

A linear and very tight red with black currant, blackberry and hazelnut undertones. It's medium- to full-bodied with firm and racy tannins and a savory finish. Lots of tannins, but they are very fine textured and show outstanding length. 60% merlot, 36% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 04/2026