Pape Clement Pessac Leognan, 2014, 375ML

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 reds are destemmed and manually sorted, then fermented in temperature controlled vats filled by gravity. Pre-fermentation maceration is made at 8C, and a maceration of 30 days is executed with constant punch down.

For the maturation casks and barrels are filled by gravity and the grand vin ages for 18 months, 90% in barrels with 2/3 of them renewed every year, and 10% is matured in neutral French oak casks.

The 2014 is a blend of 57.5% Merlot, 37.5% Cabernet Sauvignon