Cory Gowan, JJ Buckley, January 2012

With a vintage like 2009, it's no surprise that Bernard Magrez has produced a high-octane, highly successful Pape Clément rouge. There are about 1,000 cases of this blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot, 3% petit verdot, and 2% cabernet franc to go around. Very dark red in color, it's marked by a complex nose of coffee, toffee, chocolate, and tar, but also with an intense minerality and a hint of dried herbs. On the palate, it is just ultra-concentrated with loads of cassis, blue fruits, blackberry supported by fine tannins. Having tasted the barrel sample of this wine two years ago, this almost tastes just as taut and tight. A wine for the cellar, it will drink gorgeously from 2020-2040.

98 points,

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, August 2012

Wonderful aromas of plums and blueberries and flowers. Full-bodied with plums, stones, hazelnuts and milk chocolate, and a long, long finish. Marvelous. Best ever. Try in 2017.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2012

Although the 2009 Pape Clement may not be as sublime as the 2005 or 2000, but it is very close to those two efforts, and it will be fascinating to compare them (as well as the 2008 and 2010) over the following three decades. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc with a modest 13.5% alcohol, the 2009 reveals considerable structure and tannin along with tell-tale notes of burning embers, scorched earth, graphite, blueberries, blackberries and toasty vanillin, and a full-bodied mouthfeel. This rich, full offering is surprisingly backward. This cuvee should drink well in 5-6 years as one rarely has to wait a decade or more to enjoy Pape Clement. It should age for three decades or more. Historically one of the oldest vineyards in Bordeaux (having once been owned by Pope Clement, who gets more credit for what he did in Chateauneuf du Pape than in Graves), this 700-year old Pessac vineyard has turned out another profound wine under the administration of proprietor Bernard Magrez.

95 points,

Wine Spectator, March 2012

Rich and muscular, with exotic roasted spice, braised fig and warm raspberry confiture notes that are supported by a broad baseline of dark cocoa, tar and freshly brewed espresso. Not shy about its modernity, but everything is in place. Just needs to settle in with cellaring. Best from 2015 through 2030. -JM

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