Deep ruby; tight garnet rim. Like the terroir, the wine is classic in its deep ruby colour and elegant bouquet, combining mixed black fruit, sweet spices and pepper. Solid and tastes harmonious with seven years of bottle ageing—medium finish, delicate palate, stuffed, structured. Excellent value. No degradation in quality; even more complexities. A balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (47%) and Merlot, with a slight addition of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Scores are consistent.
91 points, James Suckling. Aromas of currants and berries with hints of chocolate. Full body with a solid core of fruit and a flavorful finish. Very fine. Cantermerle delivered in 2011. (2/2014). Edited.
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate An elegant, successful 2011, Cantemerle has produced a finesse-styled wine with a dense ruby/purple colour and copious notes of flowers, mulberries, raspberries and blueberries. With dramatic quality and purity, this medium-bodied effort possesses sweet tannins and a texture that builds incrementally. A lighter-styled but beautifully crafted, well-done 2011 can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years. (RP) (4/2014) Edited.
Updated: Jul 26, 2023
Deep ruby, with dense mahogany hints. A spontaneous first nose of fragrance, fruit(blueberries, cassis, bilberry), flowers(violets), and spices(chocolate and other sweet spices). A ripe and powerful second nose of fruit pastilles, leather, lightly charred wood, and roasted notes. The intense, international palate recalls those's complexity and fruit explosion, revealed by its elegance rather than its full-flavour—long fruit length. 2011 strucutred. For the age, some complexities(lovely creamy secondary tones, savoury and sweet spicy tertiary notes).
Hence Wilfred Wong of Wine.com is right when he wrote about this vintage, saying it is never a question of how much fruit the Château Pape Clément will show. Also, Decanter describes its attractive aromatic range with a finish of remarkable restraint, which reflects the most characteristical beauty of this vintage.
Indeed, in recent vintages such as this 2011, all Pape Cléments are rated by international commentators from 99 to 96. If the cost is correct and the style is okay, buy any vintage!
We have been admiring all vintages of Pape Clement since our first tasting in 1992, and we hope you share the same feeling. Some 58% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new French oak from the 2014 Pape Clement. It is very modern and complex.
Awarded RP96, Parker writes that the"2011 Pape Clement, a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, was aged 18 months in new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. Profound, with a complex bouquet of mulberries, black cherries, black currants, graphite and subtle smoke and burning ember-like aromas, this is a true vintage superstar. It represents a remarkable achievement by the winemaking team of Bernard Magrez. Full-bodied, rich and multidimensional, this wine transcends the entire vintage. It should age effortlessly for 25 years." GG also scored a high 95, and WS awarded 93 points.
Updated: Jun 9, 2023
Opulent; deep ruby with purple reflections; tight rim. Ripe, black fruit with smoky and tobacco overtones. Official tastings write, 'an elegant bouquet with delicate hints of oak.' The structure is balanced with ABV13.5, ample tannins and intense; bodied.
Scores pretty; for example, Wine Enthusiast awarded 94 points writes,' From one of the major estates in Pessac-Léognan, this is a fine, stylish and tightly structured wine. It has spice and intense acidity to balance the dark tannins and black-currant fruit. It is going to need several years to mature. The estate is owned by André Lurton, who was influential in creating the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Drink from 2024'. Edited.
