The golden yellow colour with green highlights of the 2014 Chateau Pape Clément is a sign of a strong acidity. The nose is aromatically smooth and complex. This clear Pessac-Leognan first gives off white fruit aromas (peach, Golden Delicious, Asian melon, Reine Claude plum) and leads to more classic citrusy notes such as lime. The olfactory process proves the total maturity of the grapes and releases some nervousness. The palate is vibrant with a good acid tension. The wine is fruity and full-bodied on the mid-palate. The finish is also fruity, enhanced by spicy notes (ginger) that emphasise the vibrancy of the wine. This white Pape Clément is wonderful.
The 2014 Pape Clement Blanc was tasted three times during my tastings. In all three occasions, I felt that it has not quite delivered on that initial promise from barrel, missing the mineral tension of the finest white Bordeaux such as Domaine de Chevalier or Malartic-Lagravière Blanc. The palate is quite rounded on the entry and the new oak is more evident here, lending the texture an attractive creaminess, but filing away some of the tension and nervosité on the finish. I can picture it having broad appeal, but I was hoping for more terroir expression.