Chateau Pape Clement (stained label) 2009

Professional Ratings

• 98 James Suckling
  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 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  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.
• 95 Wine Spectator
  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.
• 95 Jeb Dunnuck
  Drinking beautifully today, the 2009 Château Pape Clément (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest 5% Cabernet Franc) reveals a saturated ruby/purple color as well as an upfront, complex bouquet of blackcurrants, chocolate, lead pencil, earth, and graphite. It’s full-bodied and powerful, yet stays seamless and silky on the palate, with a beautiful sense of elegance. With ripe tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish, it has the sexy, opulent style of the vintage front and center. You can safely drink this fabulous wine anytime over the coming 2-3 decades.
• 95 Decanter
  An early-ripening and generous wine in an early-ripening and generous year, this is full of the exuberance that it demonstrated when young. The terroir is starting to exert its influence now, with a lovely pull back on the finish as the tannins step up. It's still youthful and buttoned down but the fruit is exotically ripe and really starting to come into its prime, with traces of heavy black pepper spice. Extremely good quality, if vintage led.
• 94 Wine Enthusiast
  Spiced pears in red wine, an exotic range of sweet berry fruits and nutmeg, along with a solid core of structure. Intriguing wine.
  Barrel Sample: 92-94 Points