2011 Chateau Pape Clement Rouge - Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classe

Falstaff Magazin - 92pts - PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung, dunkle Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Lakritze, feine Edelholzanklänge, facettenreiches Bukett. Saftig, kühle Stilistik, ein Hauch von Preiselbeeren, präsentes Tannin, mineralischer Nachhall, im Finish ist das Holz noch nicht integriert, zart adstringent, zitronig, rotbeeriger Rückgeschmack.* -03/2014

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 96pts - RP: *The 2011 Pape Clement, a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, was aged 18 months in new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. Absolutely profound, with a complex bouquet of mulberries, black cherries, black currants, graphite and subtle smoke and burning ember-like aromas, this is a true super-star of the vintage. It represents a remarkable achievement by the winemaking team of Bernard Magrez. Full-bodied, rich and multidimensional, this wine clearly transcends the entire vintage. It should age effortlessly for 25 years.* -04/2014

Vinum Magazin – 16/20 pts: *Wie immer sehr kohärent in seiner modernen, konzentrierten, extraktreichen Art, das Holz präsent mit den typischen Rauchnoten im Finale, aber perfekt eingebunden.* - 05/2014

WeinWisser – 17/20pts – GL: *Kompaktes Bouquet mit reifen Pflaumen, Lakritze und exotischen Hölzern, dahinter Lavendel, Szechuan-Pfeffer und Liebstöckel. Am mächtigen Gaumen mit fein spröder Textur, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, mehliger Extraktfülle und (fast) brachialem Bodybuilderkörper. Im konzentrierten Finale mit roten und blauen Beeren, getrocknetem Rosmarin und dunklem Graphit. Die massive Extraktion hat der Bulldozer auch nach 10 Jahren noch nicht ganz verdaut.* – 12/2021

JamesSuckling.com - (90-91) pts - JS: *The nose of violets, warm stone and blueberries is very impressive. Full body, with chewy tannins and a firm finish. Outstanding but like to see a little more fruit in the mid-palate. Chewy.* -04/2012

Vinous.com - 90+pts - ID: *Dark ruby-red. Fresh, floral aromas of blackcurrant, herbs, talc and chocolate. Currently dominated by oak on the palate, with minerally blackberry and blueberry flavors emerging only slowly with aeration. Finishes with lively acidity and substantial but smooth tannins. I don't find the rich creamy fruit this wine showed during the Primeurs; I wonder if it didn't see too much oak given the vintage's characteristics. I wouldn't touch a bottle for another three or four years.* -07/2014