Château Pape Clément

Château Pape Clément holds a unique distinction as the oldest wine estate in Bordeaux, with its first recorded harvest dating to 1252. The estate takes its name from Pope Clement V, born Bertrand de Goth, who received the property in 1299 upon his appointment as Archbishop of Bordeaux. Following his election as pope in 1306, the estate passed to the Archbishop of Bordeaux. The French Revolution brought instability and multiple changes of ownership from 1791 onward. Hail devastated the vineyards in 1937, but Paul Montagne began a sustained revitalization from 1939. The estate eventually became jointly owned by Leo Montagne and Bernard Magrez, with Magrez becoming sole owner in 1980 and driving significant modernization.

• First harvest recorded in 1252; 700th vintage celebrated in 2006
• Gifted to Bertrand de Goth (later Pope Clement V) in 1299 on appointment as archbishop
• Multiple ownership changes followed the French Revolution from 1791
• Bernard Magrez became sole owner in 1980 and has modernized the estate extensively

The estate sits within the Pessac commune of Pessac-Léognan, adjacent to the renowned Château Haut-Brion and just 15 minutes from downtown Bordeaux. The soils combine a Pyrenean gravel layer with gravel-sand, clay-limestone, and a chalky subsoil rich in iron. A thin layer of Garonne gravel deposited approximately 1.5 million years ago sits atop this foundation. The temperate climate benefits from proximity to both the Garonne River and the Atlantic Ocean. Notably, the estate's microclimate is cooler than surrounding properties, producing a slower ripening cycle that contributes to the wines' complexity and structure.

• Soils: Pyrenean gravel, gravel-sand, clay-limestone, chalky iron-rich subsoil
• Thin Garonne gravel layer dates to approximately 1.5 million years ago
• Cooler microclimate than neighboring estates; slower ripening cycle
• Adjacent to Château Haut-Brion in the Pessac commune

The red wine is composed of approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot making up the remaining third, with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc also planted. The white wine is produced from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle. Red wines are aged in oak barrels with approximately 70% new oak for 16 to 18 months; whites receive 12 to 14 months in barrel with the same proportion of new oak. Annual production sits at roughly 7,000 cases of red and 350 cases of white. Second wines are produced under the labels Le Clémentin du Pape Clément and Le Prélat du Pape Clément. The estate uses oxen rather than horses for traditional ploughing and has deployed solar-powered drones for vineyard management since 2013. It holds Certified High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3 status.

• Reds: approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one-third Merlot; aged 16-18 months in 70% new oak
• Whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle; aged 12-14 months in 70% new oak
• Second wines: Le Clémentin du Pape Clément and Le Prélat du Pape Clément
• Solar-powered drones used since 2013; oxen used for ploughing; HVE level 3 certified

Château Pape Clément was classified as a Grand Cru Classé de Graves in the 1959 Graves classification. The estate was controversially omitted from the initial 1953 classification, a notable oversight given its historical importance and wine quality. In the modern secondary market, Liv-ex has positioned it as a probable Second Growth estate, reflecting the high regard in which its wines are held. Michel Rolland has served as consultant winemaker since 1993, bringing his influence to the estate's style alongside owner Bernard Magrez's long-term vision.

• Grand Cru Classé de Graves (1959); omitted controversially from the original 1953 classification
• Liv-ex positions the estate as a probable Second Growth
• Michel Rolland has consulted since 1993
• Owner Bernard Magrez has driven modernization since becoming sole owner in 1980