Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan 2018

99 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Château Pape Clement from Bernard Magrez is a gorgeous wine that's performing even better from bottle than barrel, which is always a good sign. Deep ruby/purple, with stunning crème de cassis and blackberry fruits as well as kaleidoscope-like notes of graphite, scorched earth, smoke, violets, and spring flowers, it offers full-bodied richness yet stays light on its feet, graceful, and almost ethereal on the palate, with integrated acidity and building yet seamless tannins. The Cabernet Sauvignon really sings at this point, and there's almost a Médoc-like regalness here. Reminding me of a slightly more elegant 2005 (it also has similarities to the 2016), it will benefit from 4-6 years in the cellar and keep for 30+ years. Drink: 2025-2055. (3/11/21)"

97 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "A step-up in deft, nuanced flavours with a floral character coming through more clearly than in the older vintages (perhaps because higher Cabernet Sauvignon, giving touches of raspberry leaf and rosebud). Tannins are still covered in silk but there is a slate texture alongside that gives grain, flexibility and bounce. Extremely successful, one to put away for a few more years but then share widely. Consultant Michel Rolland, harvest September 20 to October 12. Drink: 2026-2046. (11/4/21)"

97 points James Suckling: "Aromas of wild blackberries, blueberries, dried lavender, cloves and eucalyptus with gravel and cocoa butter. It’s full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins. Polished and creamy with a core of ripe fruit that evolves to herbs, spices and chocolate. Fantastic concentration and seamless integration. Try from 2024. (1/7/21)"

96+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Pape Clement is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 60% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed black cherries, stewed black plums and black raspberries, followed by suggestions of violets, star anise, cardamom and camphor with a waft of iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers exhilarating energy, offering crunchy black berry and exotic spice layers with a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and mineral tinged. Still very primary, it will need a good 5 years in bottle to deliver that next-level experience and will drink over the next 30+ years. Drink: 2026-2056. (3/31/21)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Pape Clément is such a beautiful and inviting wine. Silky, perfumed and layered, the 2018 shows the more restrained, vibrant style that has become the norm here in recent years. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and spice are front and center, while the oak - in the past so strong here - is really dialed back. The 2018 is going to be a fascinating wine to follow in the cellar over the next several decades. The purity of the flavors is just striking. Drink: 2026-2048. (Mar 2021)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "A warm mocha note drapes elegantly over a prodigious core of steeped red and black currant and blackberry fruit while waves of black tea, anise, fruitcake and applewood fill in on the finish. Structure is serious and well-imbedded. Really well put together. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038. (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)"

95 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "This is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, raised in 65% new oak barrels, and it shows on the nose, which melds together a wealth of delineated dark fruits, all blackcurrant, black olive and desiccated damson, with a smoky and substantial seam of spicy oak, all toast, cocoa bean, dried vanilla pod and dried fruits. It has a wealth of character and the suggestion of serious intent, the nose focused and direct, and the palate does not disappoint in this regard. I find here a rich depth of tannins, smoky and coated with currant, salted chocolate and olives with some fragrant nuances of violets, cedar, graphite and espresso coffee. It is broad, textural, weighty but also very direct and long, with a good drive through the palate to the finish despite the evident substance of the wine. This is a really serious example of the appellation which wins on substance and concentration. It should age for decades. (Feb 2021)"

95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2018 Pape Clement is deep garnet purple in color. It opens with pronounced notes of black olives and black truffles, with a core of prunes, blueberry pie, and camphor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a firm backbone of chewy tannins and just enough freshness to support the subtle, nuanced fruit, finishing long and savory. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2024-2045. (2/9/23)"