The 2010 Pape Clement Bordeaux Blend from Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux, France, stands out as a formidable and highly acclaimed wine. Produced by Pape Clement, this red wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, featuring a cork closure and an alcohol content of 14.5%.
This wine has garnered impressive reviews from various professional reviewers, with many noting its exceptional quality and aging potential. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect score of 100, describing it as "Deep garnet in color" with "fragrant notions of dried roses, Chinese five spice and sandalwood over a core of kirsch, warm cassis and plum preserves plus a touch of cedar chest." The palate is noted for its "finely crafted" structure with "ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness."
Cory Gowan from JJ Buckley also praised the wine with a score of 98, highlighting its unique history and meticulous production process. He noted, "The nose is welcoming with red and blue fruits, chocolate, and vanilla bean. Plush in the mouth with ample saline minerality and tons of fruit, this is a pure and expressive red." Gowan emphasized the wine's impressive tannins and its long, incredible finish.
Neal Martin's Wine Journal, which scored the wine 96, described the 2010 Pape Clement as having a "lovely floral, generous bouquet with vibrant vivacious blackberry and crushed strawberry fruit." Martin observed that the wine is "medium-bodied with succulent tannins" and called it "a really classy wine."
Other reviewers, including Jeff Leve, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and James Suckling, all rated the wine 95 or higher, with comments focusing on its rich, full-bodied texture and complex flavors. Leve noted its "thick, rich, full-bodied, lush textured" profile, while Wine Spectator admired its "long, polished finish" and "tarry thread running along with the fruit."
Jane Anson, who scored it 97, remarked on its "inky depths to the color" and its potential for aging, while Decanter called it "a serious beast" with "black chocolate shavings, black olive, cut herbs, rosemary and cinnamon."
In summary, the 2010 Pape Clement is a highly regarded Bordeaux blend known for its rich and complex flavors, exceptional structure, and significant aging potential. It has received widespread acclaim from professional reviewers, with several perfect or near-perfect scores, making it a standout wine from the Bordeaux region.