2018 Chateau Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan Magnum (1.5 L) Magnum

At almost 800 years young, Bordeaux’s oldest Grand Cru Classé never goes out of style. Every vintage of Château Pape Clément that we’ve offered has earned perfect five-out-of-five ratings from our members, including the 2018.

It’s no wonder: Since taking over the estate, proprietor Bernard Magrez has never once sacrificed quality for quantity. His wines are among the most expressive, age-worthy, and flat-out delicious vintages currently being produced in Bordeaux, which is why Jeb Dunnuck rated the 2018 Pape Clément ahead of icons like Haut-Brion ($840+), Cheval Blanc ($1000), Lafite-Rothschild ($1200+), and Mouton-Rothschild ($850).

Made by Michel Rolland, the Right Bank-born genius who has earned countless 100-point scores while revolutionizing Bordeaux winemaking, the '18 continues Pape Clément’s tradition of opulence married to sumptuous tannins and mesmerizing complexity. These rare magnums will be nearly immortal, and will arrive this summer directly from the château—you won’t find better provenance.

The second we poured a glass, we knew to clear our schedules for the rest of the afternoon. On the palate, the traditional power of Pape Clément is present in spades, framed by velvety yet firm tannins. Hailing from a warm vintage, the wine is more approachable than usual right now, with plenty of bold, dark fruit to complement its regal minerality and exotic accents. 

Not unlike the halls of the grand château that Magrez has filled with priceless antiques, the wines of Pape Clément are show-stopping evocations of the best of Bordeaux. The 2018 is a standout, and no lover of Bordeaux—or Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for that matter—should be without this ultra-collectible Pape Clément.