James Suckling (2023) 97 - 98 / 100

His is a very structured 2022 with powerful tannins that run the length of the wine. Yet it’s perfumed and fresh with flowers and subtle undertones of stone. Pure. It’s full but not heavy with backbone and structure. Lots of crushed stone and currants. One of the most transparent you Pape’s I have tasted.

Yves Beck (2023) 96 - 98 / 100

Fin et subtil le bouquet de Pape Clément se révèle progressivement. Il annonce de la profondeur, de la délicatesse et de la pluralité. Invitantes et rafraîchissantes nuances de baies noires et rouges, de bois de réglisse et de poivre noir. L’attaque est friande et légèrement crémeuse. Le vin révèle sa puissance de manière subtile. On est bien loin du style démonstratif que l’on a pu connaître de Pape Clément. La fraîcheur, respectivement la tension et la structure tannique sont en parfaite corrélation. Les tannins, aux grains fins, offrent une puissance sereine, bien encadrée tandis que l’acidité se veut structurante et juteuse. La notion de force tranquille est évidente. Pape Clément 2022 est une grande réussite qui brille de son caractère harmonieux ! 2028-2052

Jeff Leve (2023) 97 / 100

Dark, almost opaque in color, the wine grabs your attention with its showy display of flowers, cinnamon, chocolate, spice, tobacco, blackberries, and black cherries in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is rich, lush, sweet, deep, and intense. There is a wealth of flavor in the black cherries, white pepper, dark chocolate, and espresso on the palate. The endnote sticks for almost 50 seconds, delivering a peppery, orange rind, refreshing note in the finish.

Bettane & Desseauve (2023) 96 - 97 / 100

Magnifique nez racé, puissant, offrant une grande maturité de fruit et une subtile minéralité, bouche savoureuse de grande amplitude, tannins d’une qualité exceptionnelle, caractère fumé, avec de la longueur et de l’énergie en finale. Grand potentiel.

Decanter (2023) 95 / 100

Focussed and charming, good weight and depth, the tannins come into play almost straight away coating the mouth in fine but plump, fleshy black fruit with cool blue fruit touches and high acidity giving a different, lighter nuance. Well made, with good definition. Not as lively as some, but has supreme complexity and shine, everything feels well worked with touches of oak, liquorice spice and clove that dot the palate. Strong and serious but confident and controlled. A thoroughbred. Tightly knitted but still showing glamour.

Vinous (N. Martin) (2023) 94 - 96 / 100

The 2022 Pape Clément was picked 7-27 September at 35hL/ha, aged in 60% new oak. It has quite an open and expressive bouquet at this stage, with blackcurrant and bilberry scents. A more sensual Pape Clément perhaps, the oak is neatly integrated. Black olives emerge with time, hints of sea spray - this is certainly a wine you have to stay with. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Layers of black fruit laced with graphite and cedar, rending this 2022 quite Pauillac-like in style. Nicely controlled on the finish, this is a Pape Clément with breeding. Tasted four times.

JM Quarin (2023) 95 / 100

Couleur sombre et pourpre. Nez intense, au fruité mûr. Nuances complexes. Finement charnu en entrée de bouche, aromatique au milieu, complet, le vin évolue marqué par le bois dans la persistance, mais long, fruité, sur un grain distingué.

Terre de Vins (2023) 95 / 100

Tous les curseurs sont boostés, avec une palette tout en fruits noirs, rouges, réglisse, puis aux notes florales de violette. Si l'attaque est fine, la structure tannique est charpentée, d'une belle architecture, avec un beau volume d'accompagnement, des saveurs réglissées et une mâche ferme en finale.

Vinous (A. Galloni) (2023) 93 - 95 / 100

The 2022 Pape Clement is shaping up to be a gem. Deep, pliant and layered in the glass, the 2022 possesses notable energy and vibrancy to play off its core of rich, sumptuous fruit. Soft, plush contours wrap it all together. Time in the glass brings out notable energy, especially as the mid-palate opens into the gorgeous, palate-staining finish. The 2022 is unusual in that it is 60% Merlot, rather than the more typical blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted three times.

Parker (2023) 92 - 94 / 100

Revealing aromas of blueberries, cassis, spring flowers and toasty new oak, the 2022 Pape Clément is full-bodied, broad and textural, with a rich, layered core of super-ripe fruit framed by liberally extracted tannins that assert themselves on the firm, lavishly oaky finish. This is a flamboyant, unabashedly modern-styled Pape Clément that will need several years in the cellar to blossom.

Appellation	Pessac-Léognan Rouge
Classement	Cru Classé de Graves
Superficie	53 ha
Encépagement	Cabernet Sauvignon 51% - Merlot 46% - Petit Verdot 2% - Cabernet Franc 1 %
Age moyen des vignes	27 ans
Sols et sous-sol	Nappe de graves argileuses pyrénéennes datant de la fin du pliocène et du quaternaire ancien
Elevage	Barriques neuves durant 18 mois