I don’t care what anyone says. A++ perfect French wine! — 7 months ago
Legendary cabernet tasting with Jay Fletcher, MS.
2017 Heitz Cellar
2016 Yalumba, the Caley, Australia
2016 Beaulieu Vineyard clone 6, Rutherford
2009 Catena Zapata, Argentina
2018 Gaja. Darmagi. Piedmont
2013 Penfolds bin 707, Australia
2014 Chateau Pape Clement, Bordeaux
2015 Rampola, vigna D'alceo. Tuscany
2013 Duckhorn, the discussion, Napa
2017 Chateau pichon lalande, Bordeaux
The Penfolds and the Beaulieu clone 6 were the BOM! — 4 years ago




Enjoying in Paris — 5 years ago
I need to start w/ a little preamble.

For me, Pessac-Leognan was a late comer Bordeaux region. The last one I gravitated to in my 26 yr Bordeaux experience.
Nearly all the previous 2000 Bordeaux’s I’ve had up to this point needed a lot more cellaring. Mostly 1st & 2nd Growths, some 3rd. This 2000 started lean…lacking depth & a bigger tannin profile. But that is not entirely uncharacteristic for older Pessac’s. It seemed slightly more late in its drinking window. It picked up weight in the decanter at 2 1/2 hours and then showed more weight & depth w/ my Ribcap.
This started elegant w/ soft Bordeaux characteristics. Beauty & elegance as I understand it in Bordeaux’s from this region and this kind of age. But lacked 2000 earthiness & depth. For me, this is a 3rd tier Pessac producer, my terminology. Not up there with Haut Bailly or Pape Clement and of course Haut Brion.
2000’s up to this point have shown great depth & deep characteristics. Most needing longer than anticipated aging.
This was beautiful, elegant but lean based on previous definitions. Early on it seemly felt like it was a drink up in the next 3 yrs w/o the steak. With a longish decant & steak, more 7-10 yrs.
The nose shows muddled to slightly stewy; dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, both plums to pudding, poached strawberries, black raspberries and haunting blueberries, red cola, dark chocolate, dry herbs, dry leather-tobacco, softened graphite, moist clay, hints of pepper, some mushroom notes, rich, darkish soils with dry leaves, steeped tea, limestone/sandstone, dry twig, dry pebbles-top soils with dark, red, withering flowers.
The palate shows beautiful elegance with nothing that bites back. Perfectly resolved velvety tannins. Ripe, juicy, somewhat ruby fruits. Yet, have slightly stewy characteristics. Dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, both plums to pudding, poached strawberries, black raspberries and haunting blueberries, red cola, dark chocolate, softly layered & even baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid, dark, Asian spices, dry herbs, dry leather-tobacco, softened, nearly sweet graphite, moist clay, hints of pepper, rich, darkish soils with dry leaves, charcoal, volcanic ash, steeped tea, limestone/sandstone, dry twig, dry pebbles, dry top soils with dark, red, withering flowers, near perfect acidity, well balanced w/ softened structure/tension, great length and an elegant finish that goes on and on and long sets on spice & clay.
Almost new cork and little to no sediment.
92-93 with a long decant & a rich, fatty steak-Ribcap. First taste after pouring into the decanter, 90.
Photos of; Haut-Bergey, Paul Garcin-Managing Director and Francois Prouteau-Cellar Master. — 2 months ago
An extensive history with this Pessac-Leognan estate. In 1305 Bertrand de Goth, a major landowner in Bordeaux as well as its Archbishop, became Pope Clement V and the city named this estate in his honour. From 1939 it was owned by the Montagne family, and passed by marriage into the ownership of Bernard Magrez. After a 20 minute decant, aromas of vanilla, raspberry, pepper, menthol - minty, dusty and aristocratic. “Damn good claret” as the old boys in Pall Mall would say! JH said more like the Medoc than Pessac-Leognan on the nose. The medium bodied palate has become more savoury and less fruit driven at 17 years but still works extremely well - seamless. 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the 1001 wines. — 4 years ago
Hello from bitter cold MN. Woke up this morning to -23 degree temps and it was garbage day…. 🥶
Continuing my month of drinking 2016 wines. Almost opened Pape Clement tonight. Thoughts on if that’s too soon anyone? Smash or pass?
This is drinking very well. Has that Corison thing with great tension of fruit and acidity. Mouthwatering.
Cheers all. 🍷 stay warm and safe this weekend. — 4 months ago


With Janine and Jared. Tannins balanced. “Yummy” — 2 years ago
The wine of this evening is the 2018 Bernard Magrez Le Prelat Laudun Côtes du Rhône Villages. This wine is from Bernard Magrez owner of 4 Grand Cru Classés most notably Chateau Pape Clement and is a blend of 52% Grenache, 41% Syrah, 4% Carignan and 3% Mourvedre.
On the nose this has black cherry, strawberry, raspberry, eucalyptus, clove, smokey oak, black pepper, anise and cinnamon.
On the palate there is bmack cherry, strawberry, raspberry, mint, cinnamon, smokey oak, black pepper, star anise and herbs.
This is a medium + to full bodied wine with medium + acidity and medium + fine polished tannins that leads you to a long vlack cherry smokey oak finish. The long weekend is at a close and we look forward to the new week ahead. Please stay safe and healthy. Have a great week. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago
2010 Bordeaux zoom tasting with Lisa Perrott-Brown, editor in chief for RP Wine Advocate. The wines have been shut down, some waking up...big wines with volume turned up on everything (tannin, acidity, alcohol), structured, and should cellar for many years.
2010 Pichon Baron. RP 96
2010 Leoville Las Cases. RP 97
2010 Palmer. RP 96
2010 Pape Clement. RP 100
2010 Figeac. RP 97
2010 Trotanoy. RP 97 — 4 years ago


Pooneet K
Absolutely excellent pape clement. At 21 years this is still quite primary, which confirms the general view that the 2005s will last forever (and likely longer than the 2000s). Paired with a rack of lamb for Easter, absolutely perfect. Delicious. — a month ago