Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan 2010

100 points Robert Parker: "I certainly underrated the 2010 Pape Clement from barrel, rating it only 93-95+. (Thank God I put a “plus” there!) Having tasted it four times in Bordeaux, and rating it perfect three times and 99 the fourth time, this final blend of 51% Merlot, 47.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1.5% Petit Verdot is perfection in a bottle. Tipping the scales at 14.5% natural alcohol, there are 8,000 cases of it. Its sublime elegance, the power, the medium to full-bodied texture, the silky tannins, the subtle notes of smoke, lead pencil shavings, black currants, charcoal, camphor, blueberry and cassis fruit are all remarkable. It is a rich, full-throttle wine, but the elegance and the great terroir of Pape Clement come through in abundance. It is slightly more developed and evolved than the 2005 was at a similar point in its evolution, but it certainly needs another 5-7 years to develop further nuances, which it surely will. This wine will last 30-40+ years. Drink: 2013-2053. (2/27/13)"

100 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advcoate): "Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Pape Clement comes wafting sensuously from the glass with fragrant notions of dried roses, Chinese five spice and sandalwood over a core of kirsch, warm cassis and plum preserves plus a touch of cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the perfumed fruit through the incredibly long finish. Drink 2020-2055. (3/5/20)"

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that hit 13.5% natural alcohol, the 2010 Château Pape Clément is a powerful, concentrated, yet still incredibly refined and elegant Pessac. Still youthfully plum-hued with no signs of bricking, it offers a sensational nose of ripe currants, chocolate, scorched earth, and graphite that needs lots of air to show its full potential. Deep, full-bodied, and layered on the palate, it has ultra-fine, seamless tannins and perfectly integrated oak. The inherent elegance of this terroir is certainly here, but this is a concentrated, incredibly impressive Pessac in the early stages of its prime drinking window with another 20+ years of prime drinking ahead of it. Drink: 2024-2046. (3/7/24)"

97 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc). Extremely closed, this has a wall of muscular tannins and maintains its monolithic expression even two years after I last tasted it. Keep checking in, because this is a stunning wine, with sweet liquorice, graphite, crayon, cassis, grilled herbs, , with the smoke and grilled herb quality Look to the 2009 if drinking soon, but this one will go the distance. 32hl/h yield, 100% new oak, Michel Rolland consultant. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink 2024-2040. (9/20/24)"

97 points (18.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2010 vintage stands out with its highly mature flavors, producing a powerful red wine with fairly subtle oak notes. (2014)"

96 points James Suckling: "Intense blueberry nose with great precision and expression. Full and vibrant on the palate with a minty note. Vanilla. Wonderful structure. Firm but ripe tannins and very long. Needs time to soften. Great potential. Try in 2016. (11/14/13)"