The iconic 2012 Pape Clement is a candidate for near-perfection as well as one of the wines of the vintage. From proprietor Bernard Magrez, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This extraordinary vineyard (a few miles to the west of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion) has hit all the highlights of this vintage. Interestingly, the quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012. This is truly great wine and not far off their magnificent 2005 and 2010. Full-bodied, with rich cassis, subtle burning embers and spice followed by velvety, well-integrated tannins, the wine is lush, expansive, savory and profound. This is a remarkable wine that could be drunk at a reasonably young age, but should cellar brilliantly for a quarter-century. Yields were modest at 37 hectoliters per hectare from this 132-acre estate. The alcohol level came in at 13.5%. Drink 2015-2040. 97 points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #218, April 2015)

Densely packed, with lots of dark steeped currant, fig and blackberry fruit, slowly melding with muscular licorice snap, bramble, singed bay and ganache notes. The long, dark, ganache-coated finish isn't shy, but an enticing rusticity keeps this honest. A large-scaled wine that has really powered up since the barrel tasting. Best from 2018 through 2027. 12,500 cases made. – James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 2015)

A fascinating white with dried-apple, pineapple and mango character. Hints of vanilla, too. Full body, fresh acidity and a layered and structured finish. Very serious for the vintage. – jamessuckling.com, Feb 2016

The 2012 Pape Clement is one of racier, more voluptuous wines of the year. Deep, supple and flamboyant, the 2012 is laced with expressive dark stone fruit, game, cured meats and dried flowers. This is one of the more extroverted wines of the year. It should drink well with minimal cellaring and drink well to age 20-25. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. This is another strong 2012 from proprietor Bernard Magrez and Michel Rolland.

[65M/35CS] Youthful nose, but clearly fine fruit behind: ripe black fruit and mineral; very nicely balanced, plush wine with a very fine, discreet tannin and supple-yet-fresh acidity; long, black fruit ripe within the slightly oak dry texture; long to taste, marked fruit, great finesse, gently warm finish. Very nice indeed, lovely sweetly juicy quality here, and likely to be ready a little sooner than the 2011. You can taste the finer, less marked wood and grape tannin texture that has been a feature of Pape Clément over the last few years, a step back from (at least for my palate) its previously overly ‘structured’ style. A plus in my view. 2020-30 [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2013]

Quality 945 | Brand 951 | Economics 904 | buzz brand
Quality: Above the average quality score of its peer group for the 2012 vintage, 815 Brand: We found this wine on 17 of the world's top restaurant wine lists, including Pollen Street Social Economics: Above its peer group average price of £48 for the 2012 vintage Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 92,455 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017