2006 Pape Clement
By Chateau Pape Clement
2006 Pape Clement from Chateau Pape Clement, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
In the realm of Bordeaux's storied vintages, the 2006 Pape Clement from Chateau Pape Clement emerges as a captivating testament to the resilience and craft of this famed estate. The year 2006, sitting between the shadow of the illustrious 2005 and the more approachable 2007, produced a wine with an intriguing blend of power and elegance that beckons the discerning investor.
A Vintage of Refined Complexity
The climatic trajectory of 2006 was marked by contrasts - a tepid summer was bookended by an auspicious spring and a fortuitous late-summer warmth, which bestowed upon the grapes a ripeness that is both profound and precocious. Housing an assemblage predominately of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot in the symphony of grapes was a decision that paid dividends in crafting the complex profile for which this vintage is esteemed.
Savour the tapestry of aromas: ripe blackcurrant cloaked in smoky oak, a subtle interplay of spice hinting at cinnamon bark, and unearthing the underbrush after rainfall - these sensory delights herald an equally vibrant palate. The tannins are polished yet assertive, holding promise of longevity, while the finish resonates with a lavish persistence.
Investment and Indulgence Intertwined
In financial circles, astute investments often mirror the finesse found in viniculture; bearing patience rewards those who can appreciate burgeoning potential. An investment in the 2006 Pape Clement is not dissimilar – it's an allocation to a vintage which now enters its plateau of maturity with dignified complexity and profound depth.
For collectors and investors alike, the 2006 Pape Clement offers an exquisite addition to any portfolio. Whilst drinking beautifully now, its structure suggests that there is ample room for continued development - a rare duality that makes this wine a remarkably compelling proposition. A wise acquisition for any fine wine investor seeking a canvas of sophistication from the Pessac-Leognan terroir.
In sum, when one considers adding to their curated collage of fine wines or advancing their vinous financial adventure, the 2006 Pape Clement by Chateau Pape Clement represents an opportunity not merely to invest but to possess a piece of Bordeaux’s living history – a snapshot of climatic serendipity fused with enological excellence.
Current market price
$3,360.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
134
Scores and tasting notes
The dense purple-colored 2006 boasts an extraordinary perfume of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, burning embers, and a sensation that can only be described as like walking through a damp forest on a hot, humid day. Full-bodied, extraordinarily textured, and multidimensional with an amazingly long finish of nearly 60 seconds, this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot from a 75-acre vineyard is a compelling wine that is one of the stars of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030. I can't say enough about the extraordinary work proprietor Bernard Magrez, assisted by the internationally renowned Michel Rolland, is doing at Pape-Clement. From this outstanding terroir, he comes close to rivaling what both Haut-Brion and La Mission-Haut-Brion are accomplishing a few miles away. Following the prodigious 2005 Pape-Clement, it would be hard to believe the next vintage could nearly match its predecessor. However, that is what has happened at this estate with both white and red, by the way.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #181
A clear garnet core with deep ruby rim. The nose is very well delineated with blackberry, black plum, crushed stones, a touch of Hoi Sin complemented by touches of liquorice and violet. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins and picking at straws, a little too sweet for my liking vis-a-vis the structure. Drying tannins, a lot of extract here, quite rigid but very linear and focused on the finish. Still backward and very youthful, I would recommend cellaring this for five or six years. Drink 2017-2035. Tasted July 2010.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2011