2020 Château Pape Clement Pessac-Léognan Blanc

2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc Grand Cru Classé de Graves is one of the most sought‑after dry white wines in Bordeaux, and with good reason. This is a luxurious, deeply expressive white Graves that marries exotic fruit richness with poise, tension and a strong mineral backbone. Highly rated (97/100 by both Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and James Suckling), it offers a benchmark expression of what modern Pessac‑Léognan white can achieve at the very top level.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Pape Clément Blanc shows a bright, luminous straw‑gold color, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose is opulent and layered, opening with ripe tropical tones of warm pineapple, fresh mango and green guava, followed by delicate notes of orange blossom, muscat spice, lanolin and a fine, stony minerality. On the palate, this is full‑bodied, rich and seductively textured, yet finely structured. Waves of tropical and citrus fruit roll across the tongue, wrapped in subtle oak spice, nutmeg and a discreet creamy note from the barrel aging. A vibrant, spicy acid line keeps everything in balance and drives the wine through to a long, mouth‑coating, savoury‑mineral finish. While already impressive in its youth, the 2020 has the concentration and structure to age gracefully for 10–15 years, developing deeper honeyed, toasty and nutty nuances over time.

Production
Sourced from Château Pape Clément’s meticulously tended vineyards in Pessac‑Léognan, in the heart of Graves, this wine reflects a terroir of gravelly, well‑drained soils over clay and limestone that are ideal for premium white Bordeaux varieties. The 2020 blend is composed of 67% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon and 3% Sauvignon Gris, harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve both aromatic intensity and natural acidity. Fermentation and élevage take place in French oak barrels, with 16 months of maturation on lees in 55% new and 45% second‑use barrels. This careful barrel regime brings texture, complexity and subtle spice, while allowing the purity of fruit and the signature minerality of Graves to shine through.

Food & Serving
This is a gastronomic white with the depth and presence to elevate refined dishes. It pairs beautifully with rich seafood such as lobster, scallops, turbot or roasted monkfish, as well as poultry in creamy sauces, veal, and delicately spiced Asian cuisine. Mature hard cheeses and fine goat’s cheese also work very well with its structure and aromatic complexity. Serve at 10–12°C to highlight its freshness and aromatic detail; if possible, decant for 30–45 minutes in its youth to allow the layers of fruit, spice and minerality to fully unfold in the glass.

Producer
Château Pape Clément is one of the oldest wine estates in Bordeaux, with origins dating back to the 13th century, when it belonged to Bertrand de Goth, who later became Pope Clément V—hence the château’s name. Situated in Pessac‑Léognan within the Graves appellation, it holds Grand Cru Classé de Graves status and is a key reference point for both red and white wines from the region. Under modern stewardship, Pape Clément has become renowned for meticulous vineyard work, precision winemaking and consistently high critic scores, securing its place among the elite producers of Bordeaux’s dry whites.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.