List of products by brand CHATEAU PAPE CLEMENT

Set in Pessac, Gironde, Château Pape Clément covers 63 hectares at the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, on gravelly-sandy and clay-limestone soils typical of the Left Bank. Founded in 1252, the château takes its name from Bertrand de Goth, Archbishop of Bordeaux, who became Pope Clement V in 1305 — one of the most thoroughly documented origins in the Bordeaux vineyard. Bernard Magrez took the helm in 1983 and went on to achieve a perfect Parker score of 100 for the 2009 vintage. At Halles Quercamps, we have selected this château for the depth of its Cabernet Sauvignon-led reds and the aromatic precision of its whites, both shaped by soils farmed under HVE and Terra Vitis certifications. A benchmark Pessac-Léognan, equally at home in the cellar or on the table.

Château Pape Clément holds a singular place in the Bordeaux vineyard. Founded in 1252, it ranks among the oldest working châteaux in Pessac-Léognan, and since 1983 has been guided by Bernard Magrez with a commitment to precision and consistency that has earned it recognition on the world stage.

Seven centuries of history on the edge of Bordeaux

The château's origins are among the most precisely documented in all of Bordeaux. The estate takes its name from Bertrand de Goth, who owned the vineyard as Archbishop of Bordeaux before being elected Pope Clement V in 1305 — the first pope of the Avignon papacy. The vineyard has been in near-continuous production ever since, making Château Pape Clément one of the rare estates in France whose history can be traced with confidence back to the thirteenth century. Bernard Magrez acquired the château in 1983 and set about a thorough programme of investment in both vineyard and cellar, culminating in a perfect score of 100 points from Robert Parker for the 2009 vintage — a milestone that confirmed the estate's place among the finest in the appellation.

A Pessac-Léognan terroir of character

The estate extends across 63 hectares in the commune of Pessac, Gironde, on the southern outskirts of Bordeaux. The soils combine gravelly-sandy upper layers with clay-limestone subsoils rich in iron — a profile that encourages deep root development and lends the wines their characteristic structure and freshness. This is quintessential Left Bank Bordeaux terroir, where the gravel retains heat through the day and drains freely after rain. The red varieties planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc; the whites are produced from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.

Responsible viticulture: HVE and Terra Vitis

Château Pape Clément holds both HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) and Terra Vitis certifications, reflecting a genuine commitment to reducing inputs and preserving the long-term health of the vineyard. These are not simply labels: they represent a measurable shift in how the estate manages its soils, water use, and biodiversity — an approach that sits naturally alongside the ambition for quality that has defined the château under Bernard Magrez.

Reds and whites from Pessac-Léognan

The château produces two colours, both expressing the full character of the Pessac-Léognan appellation:

Red: Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends with Merlot and small proportions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Structured and age-worthy, with the graphite and dark fruit profile that distinguishes the finest Left Bank reds.
White: Sauvignon Blanc-led blends with Sémillon and Muscadelle, offering aromatic precision and a texture that rewards a few years in the cellar. Among the most compelling dry whites produced in Bordeaux.

Why we have selected Château Pape Clément

We have listed Château Pape Clément because it represents something increasingly rare in Bordeaux: a château with genuine, verifiable historical depth, a clearly defined terroir, and a track record of consistent quality across both colours. The 100-point Parker score for 2009 is not a marketing claim but a documented benchmark. The HVE and Terra Vitis certifications give our customers confidence that the vineyard is managed with care. We recommend this château to confirmed Bordeaux enthusiasts looking to add a serious Pessac-Léognan to their cellar, as well as to those who want to explore the appellation's whites alongside its reds. At the table, the reds pair beautifully with roast lamb or aged hard cheeses; the whites are excellent companions to grilled fish, scallops, or a fine chicken dish.