2013 Pape Clement Blanc
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Tasting notes
The 2013 Pape Clément Blanc has an attractive nose with scents of beeswax, lanolin and ginger, with just a touch of reduction. The palate is quite waxy in texture with lemon verbena and white peachy notes. It's not a bad dry white Bordeaux, but I expected more complexity. Tasted at Jeroboam's Bordeaux tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Pape Clement Blanc does not quite deliver the precision of the Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc 2013 this year, the oak is still quite pronounced and eroding some of the detail. The palate is well balanced with lime and citrus peel on the entry, hints of toffee apple emerging towards the finish that, again, feels a little oaky. I was hoping for more after the commendable 2013 Pape Clement Rouge, though it still might appeal to those who like their white Bordeaux with a hedonistic bent.
Hints of melon and pear with subtle tropical pineapple notes infuse the 2013 Pape Clément Blanc. The flavors are very much on the bright side of the spectrum, but the texture is a bit softer than one might expect. A textured finish supported by French oak rounds things out nicely. Tasted three times.
About the producer
Among the oldest estates in Bordeaux, Ch. Pape Clément has been guided into the modern era by Bernard Magrez, who has managed the estate since 1985. It makes some of the best reds in the region.