About Château Pape Clément
Bertrand de Goth was given the vineyard in Pessac around 1300 and five years later was elected Pope Clement V, the pontiff who moved the papacy to Avignon. The estate has carried his title ever since, which makes it one of the oldest continuously worked vineyards in Bordeaux. It was classified a Cru Classé de Graves in 1959 for red wine and later for white. Merlot takes a larger share of the blend than it does in the Médoc, and the whites, from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle, are among the most highly regarded in the region. Bernard Magrez has owned the château since 1985 and Le Clémentin de Pape Clément is the second wine.
Pessac-Léognan makes serious wine in both colours, unlike the Médoc. Our Pessac-Léognan Wines and Bordeaux Wines pages cover the neighboring châteaux, and Merlot follows the grape further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Pape Clément?
Because its owner, Bertrand de Goth, became Pope Clement V in 1305. He had received the Pessac vineyard a few years earlier, and the estate has been named for him for seven centuries.
Does Pape Clément make white wine?
Yes, and it is one of the estate's strengths. The white is a blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle, made in small quantity and capable of ageing for well over a decade.
Who owns Château Pape Clément?
Bernard Magrez, since 1985. He also owns Château La Tour Carnet in the Médoc, Château Fombrauge in Saint-Émilion and Clos Haut-Peyraguey in Sauternes.
How long does Pape Clément age?
The reds generally want ten to fifteen years and hold for thirty. The whites drink well from five and can run past fifteen in a cold cellar.