Château Pape Clément 2016 – Pessac Léognan – Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The nose is elegant, fresh, fruity, nicely racy, finely gourmand and offers a fine intensity. It reveals notes of cassis, blueberry, strawberry and hints of flowers (violet, blueberry) combined with a discreet hint of licorice, sweet spices, wood, a small hint of oriental spices as well as a very discreet hint of Sichuan pepper and an imperceptible hint of coffee. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, tight and offers freshness, straightness, a good structure, tension, a fine acid frame and a fine minerality. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fresh / ripe blackberry, fresh/ripe redcurrant/raspberry and slight notes of cassis associated with hints of chocolate, toasted oak / roasting as well as a discreet hint of flowers, blue fruits and a very discreet hint of Sichuan pepper on the finish. Tannins are fine and well-built. Good length. Beautiful and gourmande persistence. There is a subtle hint of caramelization and hazelnut / vanilla on persistence.