The 2023 Pape Clement Blanc is a magnificent embodiment of a Bordeaux Blanc, hailing from the esteemed region of Pessac Leognan, in Bordeaux, France. This white wine is a masterful creation of the reputable Pape Clement winery, a name synonymous with quality and dedication to the craft of winemaking.
The wine displays a pleasingly dense and tight texture, a feature noted by James Suckling who awarded it a very respectable score of 97. He describes a solid core of sliced Meyer lemon, lime, and green apple, full and compact, with a phenolic texture that runs the length of the wine. The finish is intriguingly long and persistent, with a mineral and bitter citrus undertone.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate echoes the sentiment, praising the wine's aromatic profile of white flowers, lemon oil, pomegranate, and lemongrass. A score of 93 points recognizes its bright acids and penetrating, mouthwatering finish, attributing these to a scaled-back use of wood, thus allowing the wine to express a closer connection to its terroir.
Vinous, Jane Anson, Jeff Leve, Jeb Dunnuck, and The Wine Independent also laud this wine's balanced and complex nature, with notes of nectarine, peach pit, kiwi, saffron, mint leaf, vanilla, honeysuckle, pineapple, white peach, honey, and ripe stone fruits. These reveal a wine with depth and structure, a vibrant, focused mouthfeel, and a clean, crisp, mineral-laced finish.
Sealed with a traditional cork closure, this white wine is an excellent choice for those seeking a sophisticated, layered, and incisive wine that will not only shine now but also age gracefully. The 2023 Pape Clement Blanc is indeed a remarkable expression of the Bordeaux Blanc varietal, and a testament to the exceptional quality and precision of the Pape Clement winery.