Tasting notes and food pairings for Château Pape Clément 2018, an elegant, rich Pessac-Léognan red. Madeleine on Beaufort, Perth.
Château Pape Clément is one of Bordeaux’s most historic and respected estates, boasting a winemaking heritage that stretches back over seven centuries. Originally gifted to Bertrand de Got upon his election as Pope Clement V in the early fourteenth century, the château continues to produce fine wines from its prized soils in Pessac-Léognan.
This 2018 release is a classic Bordeaux blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, offering a harmonious balance of opulent fruit, fine structure, and distinct mineral nuance.
In the glass, the 2018 reveals a deep crimson colour with violet reflections. The nose opens with expressive aromas of ripe cassis, black cherry, and plum, interwoven with subtle notes of cedar wood, tobacco leaf, dried herbs, and graphite.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and refined. Ripe, polished tannins provide a velvety framework for concentrated dark fruit flavours, balanced by vibrant acidity and a long, savoury finish carrying hints of crushed stone and spice.
With its deep concentration and elegant structural tannins, Château Pape Clément 2018 demands rich, savoury dishes. It partners beautifully with roasted rack of lamb served with a rosemary jus, slow-braised beef cheek with truffle potato purée, or a roasted duck breast with black cherries. Rich, aged cheeses such as Comté or Saint-Nectaire also complement its earthy complexity.
Our team will be happy to suggest a match from the current menu or the seasonal degustation.
The estate is located in Pessac-Léognan, a renowned appellation situated just south of the city of Bordeaux within the historical Graves region. The unique terroir features deep layers of gravel over clay and limestone subsoils, which retain warmth and provide excellent natural drainage.
This distinctive soil composition grants the red wines of the area their signature minerality, subtle smokiness, and remarkable longevity.
The 2018 growing season in Bordeaux began with a damp spring, followed by a warm, sun-drenched summer and an ideal autumn harvest. These conditions allowed the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness with exceptional aromatic clarity and concentration.
At the château, grapes are harvested by hand and sorted carefully. The wine undergoes parcel-by-parcel fermentation before maturation in French oak barrels, allowing the wood to gently frame the natural intensity of the fruit.
Château Pape Clément holds the AOC Pessac-Léognan designation and is recognized as a Grand Cru Classé in the official 1953 Graves Classification.
Would you like to taste this wine at Madeleine? Our wine list changes with the seasons, so please get in touch with our team to check our current stock. We will be happy to suggest the perfect pairing from our menu or seasonal degustation.
