Pape Clement Blanc Pessac Leognan, 2014, 750ML

Located in Pessac Leognan the Chateau Pape Clement history dates back to the 13^th century, having its first harvest registered in 1252 under the name Domaine de La Mothe. The Chateau was bought by Gaillard de Goth on behalf of Bertrand de Goth (Archbishop of Bordeaux). Elected Pope in 1305 Bertrand de Goth took the name Pope Clement V. In 1306 days before the death of Gaillard, the estate was name Pape Clement and officially given to Bertrand, (now Pope Clement V) who also contributed to the development of viticulture in the Rhone Valley around Avignon.

The Chateau stayed in the hands of the church for centuries until the French Revolution, and had multiple owners until 1864 when Jean Baptiste Clerc acquire the chateau and replanted more than 30 hectares of vines that same year. Pape Clement was sold again in 1939 to Paul Montagne who took over the estate with almost all the vineyards devastated by a violent hail storm in 1937. The vineyards were again replanted and the Chateau flourished until 1975 when due to a lack of investment the quality of the wines declined.

In 1980’s Bernard Magrez acquire the estate, and renovated the cellar and vineyards, and brought a team of experts who helped Pape Clement reach its current level of quality.

The Chateau farms 63 hectares the majority of it being red varieties, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and whites varieties: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle.

2 reds and 2 whites are produced, and from a distinct 8.5 hectare plot Le Prelat de Pape Clement is produced. The vineyards is composed of a mix of gravel-sand and clay-limestone soils with a chalky subsoil rich in iron.

The whites varieties are manually filled into the pneumatic press and whole berries pressed with slow pressure, all under inert atmosphere to protect the aromas
The must is transferred to oak barrels by gravity flow for fermentation and malolactic. The wine ages on the lees with stirring, and 15% matures in concrete eggs and the rest in oak barrels for 16 months.

The 2014 vintage is a blend of: 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillon, 10% Sauvignon Gris.