2000 Pape Clement Bordeaux Blend - France - Bordeaux - Pessac Leognan - Red - Cru Classe

($60-$88) Red-ruby. Smoky, highly aromatic nose of plum liqueur, raspberry, violet, tobacco, hot rocks and tomato. Dense, sweet and gamey, with slightly medicinal raw currant fruit complicated by tomato and tobacco leaf. This shows a lot of Graves character. Finishes with firm but sweet tannins and very good breadth.

Dark and still quite purple. Not much nose actually - just a vague whiff of manure, strangely! But on the palate, very gentle and well balanced, even if there is a suggestion of toast and oak on the finish. This does not seem to be one of Pape Clément's most successful modern vintages... but as always it delivers. Perfect first class airline wine...?

This wine stands out as a sensational effort just a few years away from full maturity. A 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine displays loads of scorched earth and smoky barbecue scents along with blueberry, black raspberry and black currant. The wine is expansive, has a savory, broad palate and a full-bodied mouthfeel, yet possesses vivid purity and uplift. The tannins are still present, but they are sweet and well-integrated. This wine should hit full maturity in another year or two and last for at least 20 more years.

Subtle aromas of blackberries and cherries, with hints of chocolate. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a ripe fruit, chocolate aftertaste. A solid Pape Clement. 6,915 cases made.

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