Pape Clément Blanc Pessac-Léognan 2018

98 points James Suckling: "Beautiful aromas of lime curd, dried pear, grilled white peach and flint on the nose. So exotic on the nose. Some cream and honey, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. Creamy and focused with lingering dried-citrus and crushed-gravel notes. Long. Drink or hold. (1/7/21)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "A beauty from the start, with shortbread, acacia and honeysuckle details leading the way, quickly followed by fennel, tarragon, salted butter and lemon peel notes. Long, focused finish is carried by superfine acidity that puts everything in perfect lock step. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. Best from 2022 through 2030. 1,665 cases made. (3/31/21)"

96 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$180 list] Always high on the richness scale, this estate's white wine is vibrant with white fruits and hints of apricots. It is structured with wood aging and a tight texture that shows that the wine needs to age. The wine will be ready to drink from 2023. Alcohol 14%. (May 2021)"

96 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Rich, juicy, creamy and loaded with Meyer lemon, cut grass, flowers, pomelo and Mandarin orange, the wine just simply tastes and feels great. Lush in texture, with layers of sweet, citrus, yellow tropical fruit and flowers, the dab of honey and vanilla in the finish rounds everything out nicely. The wine was made from 57% Sauvignon Blanc, 39% Semillon and 4% Muscadelle. (Mar 2021)"

95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Blanc is a blend of 57% Sauvignon Blanc, 39% Sémillon and 4% Muscadelle. It was aged for around 14 months in 55% new and 45% second-fill French oak barrels. It races out of the gate with flamboyant scents of pineapple upside-down cake, lemon meringue pie and honey-drizzled peaches, plus suggestions of orange blossoms and yuzu peel. The medium to full-bodied palate has a decadent touch of oiliness to the texture with loads of spicy sparks to the tropical fruit layers, finishing long with a refreshing burst of zestiness. It's a richer expression, for sure, but it really works and it is seriously scrumptious. Drink: 2022-2034. (3/31/21)"

95 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Medium yellow-green, silver reflections. Very attractive bouquet of ripe white tropical fruit, some coconut and lanolin, nuances of guava and tangerine zest, multi-faceted. Juicy and powerful on the palate, yellow tropical fruit with a little chamomile, fine oak spice, mineral and persistent, has maturity with definite ageing potential. (2/14/21)"

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "This estate has fashioned a pretty, elegant white in the vintage. Light gold-hued, with lots of pineapple, lemon curd, white flowers, and a touch of honeyed citrus and chalky minerality, the 2018 Château Pape Clement Blanc hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, solid depth of fruit, and a great finish. It doesn't match recent great vintages, but it's a balanced, layered, outstanding white to enjoy over the coming decade or so. Drink: 2021-2031. (3/11/21)"

94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(50% Sauvignon Blanc, 7% Sauvignon Gris, 4% Sémillon, 2% Muscadelle). A touch of reduction on the first nose, reflective of the increased sculpting and more pared-back architecture of the white wine in recent years. As it opens you get fleshy nectarine, citrus zest, fresh apple and lime blossom. A lovely wine, with presence and personalty. 14 months ageing, 15% in cement tanks, the rest in barrel. Harvest August 31 to September 18. Michel Rolland consultant. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2021-2036. (11/4/21)"

94 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The white 2018 Pape Clement comes bounding out of the glass with notes of ripe grapefruit and juicy peaches, plus touches of cedar, honeyed toast and struck match. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is lively, with an oily texture and a long, tropical fruit finish. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2023-2030. (2/9/23)"