Chateau Pape Clement
"The uncompromising pursuit of excellence has always been the watchword of this wonderful adventure and the pleasure that is mine: producing Great Wines and beautiful emotions."
– Bernard Magrez.
Bernard Magrez is the story of a passionate, self-taught visionary who resolved from the very beginning to never give up. Beginning in adversity at 13, he worked his way from a vocational apprenticeship to the heights of the Bordeaux wine world, building a spirits empire along the way, with William Peel Scotch Whisky rising to become the undisputed leader in France.
In the 1980s, he returned to his true passion, acquiring his first Cru Classé, Château Pape Clément, the first of what would become four prestigious Grands Crus Classés and 42 vineyards across 9 countries.
Close to Bordeaux lies the historic Château Pape Clément, the first of Bernard Magrez's acquisitions, where the original harvest took place in 1252. For nearly seven centuries, the château has been producing excellent wines on the same terroir, showcasing the history and depth of the Bordeaux region. The vineyard has passed through many hands over the centuries, notably in 1305, when Bertrand de Goth was appointed Pope and bequeathed the estate, giving his name, Pope Clement V, to both the Château and its wine. It is partly thanks to him that wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Beaumes-de-Venise can still compete with the finest Bordeaux today. From the early 1300s to the French Revolution, the estate remained in the hands of the Archbishop of Bordeaux.
It was Jean-Baptiste Clerc, who acquired the estate in 1864, who shaped it into the Neo-Gothic style it is known for today, and under whom the château became one of the most renowned crus of the Gironde. The estate changed hands again in the 1930s after a violent hailstorm nearly destroyed it entirely; Paul Montagne purchased and restored both the vineyard and cellar before it passed to Bernard Magrez in 1985.
That year marked a definitive return to high-level production, further bolstered by the talents of consulting oenologist Michel Rolland. Magrez spared no effort to allow Château Pape Clément's exceptional terroir to stand the test of time, efforts rewarded in 2009 when Robert Parker awarded the Blanc a perfect 100/100, followed by the same score for the Rouge the following year. Looking to the future, Magrez established a Scientific Research Centre in 2013 focused on developing viticultural practices and finding concrete solutions to climate change. Today, more than 40 research projects are carried out across his properties, including his four Grands Crus Classés, all now certified High Environmental Value.
BERNARD MAGREZ - CLOS HAUT-PEYRAGUEY - CHATEAU LA TOUR CARNET - CHATEAU FOMBRAUGE
